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HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 



ITS RISE AND PROGRESS 



BY 

SARAH H. KILLIKELLY 



PITTSBURGH, PA. 

B. C, & GORDON MONTGOMERY CO. 

1906 



p- 1 s^ 



Copyright, 1906 

BY 
SARAH H. KILLIKELLY 



LIBRARY of OONSRESS 
Two Copies Received 

DEC 16 1906 

GLASS A/XXc.^No, 
' COPY B. '• 



J. B LYON COMPANY 
PRINTERS, ALBANY, N. Y. 



PREFATORY NOTE 



^^OUR years after commencin'g the task of gathering 
*| data, this volume is presented to the public. The 
history of Pittsburgh is essentially the history of 
Allegheny county — the greater Pittsburgh. The chief 
factor in its rise and progress has been manufacturing. 
All others have been secondary. Whatever has been ma- 
tured and sent forth from this district has been given 
what may be called its final touch in Pittsburgh. The city, 
as the metropolis of the county and the vast busy region 
adjacent thereto, has stood out in the affairs of the State 
and nation, and in the history of the world, as a leader in the 
evolution of the industrial arts for nearly a century. For 
this reason it has been impossible to confine the treatment 
to Pittsburgh proper, or to give distinct place to any lesser 
city or town within the district. Generally, what is written 
of Pittsburgh will, with very little modification, apply to 
Allegheny, and so on. 

To ensure the best results it has been necessary to divide 
the work into sections. The chief aim has been to make a 
readable book, not a biographical work; to make a book of 
events, which actually constitute the history of Pittsburgh, 
rather than laudatory accounts of those who played a part 
therein. An attempt has also been made, in a moderate 

[ iii ] 



PEEFATORY NOTE 

way, to hold the history of the district in just proportion to 
national history. That it is not more complete in this re- 
spect is due to the meagre records, and to this cause may 
also be attributed the brevity of the minor sections of the 
book. 

In the collection of data I wish to acknowledge my indebt- 
edness to Mrs. Mary C. Darlington, Mr. J. L. Schwartz, and 
my niece, Sarah Carpenter, of Pittsburgh; to the various 
city and county officials ; to the libraries of the city and to 
Miss Willard, of the Central Carnegie Library; to the His- 
torical Societies of Pennsylvania and New York, and to the 
National Library at Washington. For assistance in the 
preparation of the work, I am indebted to my niece, and to 
Mr. Karl A. Seager, of New York. 

July twentieth, 1906. Saeah H. Killikelly. 



[iv] 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



Frontispiece, Pittsburgh at Night. 

Relic of the French Domination, found at Point Pleasant, buried in the 

summer of 1749 4 

Plan of Fort Duquesne 15 

Historical Map of Southwestern Pennsylvania, showing sites of the prin- 
cipal old Forts, Military Roads, and Trails 19 

Plan of Fort Pitt 36 

Block House, built by Colonel Bouquet, 1764 49 

Fort Fayette 59 

Plan of Lots in Pittsburgh, 1764 74 

First Pittsburgh Post Office and First Home of the Gazette 99 

Allegheny County's first Court House and the Old Diamond Market 106 

Pittsburgh in 1795 115 

Benjamin Bakewell, Esq 134 

Point Bridge and Coal Fleet 145 

Pittsburgh in 1817, from a sketch by Mrs. E. C. Gibson 157 

Smithfield Street Bridge, 1832, from an oil painting by Russel Smith, 1833. 160 
Pittsburgh about 1825; from an old plate made by Clews of Stafi'ordshire, 

Eng 162 

Pittsburgh in 1825-26, from "The Travels of H. H. Bernhard, Duke of 

Saxe Weimar Eisenach, in North America, 1825-26." 165 

Old Allegheny Penitentiary; from an old platter made in England 168 

Aqueduct over the Allegheny 1829, from an oil painting by Russel Smith. 170 

Allegheny County Court House, destroyed by fire 1882 176 

Over the Mountains in 1839; Canal Boat being hauled over the portage 

road 181 

Diagram of the Burned District 186 

Great Conflagration at Pittsburgh, April 10, 1845 189 

Pittsburgh and Allegheny, from Coal Hill, 1849 194 

Old City Hall 202 

Burning of Round House, from a sketch by J. W. Alexander 229 

Burning of Union Station, from a sketch by Fred B. Schell 233 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

Pittsburgh as it is to-day 244 

A Typical Steel Works, Jones & Laughlin Steel Co 248 

One of Pittsburgh's Giants, the Westinghouse Works 253 

University Building, 1830-45, and Present Buildings 294 

Allegheny Observatory, Riverview Park, Allegheny 302. 

First Trinity Church 357 

Plan of Pews in Old Log Church 362 

Old First Presbyterian Church 365 

Third Presbyterian Church, corner Third and Ferry streets, built 1833. . . . 368 

First Presbyterian Church in East Liberty, erected 1819 371 

Old United Evangelical Church 376 

Subsistence Committee and part of City Hall where upwards of four hun- 
dred thousand soldiers were furnished a meal each during the Civil 

War. A thousand could be accommodated at one time 478 

General James O'Hara 519 

Hon. Wm. Wilkins 520 

Hon. Ebenezer Denny, first Mayor of Pittsburgh 522 

Pittsburgh's first Theatre and the Old Drury Theatre 530 

Stephen Foster, author of " Suwanee River " and other songs 536 

Mrs. Mary Schenley 538 

Anderson Library, Allegheny, established 1850 549 

Carnegie Institute 554 



CHRONOLOGY 



1681 Grant of land by Charles II. to William Penn. 

1682 William Penn founded the Province of Pennsylvania 

and drafted the " Frame of Government." 

1682 The French laid claim through LaSalle's discovery of 
the Mississippi to all the tributary rivers and the 
territory through which they flowed. 

1713 At the Treaty of Utrecht the English claimed the con- 
tinent from sea to sea through the discoveries of the 
Cabots, 

1716 The Governor of Virginia became alarmed at the in- 
tention of the French to extend a series of fortifica- 
tions between their possessions in Canada and 
Louisiana, thereby creating a French military bar- 
rier west of the English provinces. 

1719 Governor Keith, of Pennsylvania, urged the erection 
of a fort on Lake Erie. 

1731 Lieutenant-Governor Patrick again reminded the 
Pennsylvania Assembly of the menace of the French 
and recommended a fort on Lake Erie. 

1744 Treaty at Lancaster. Eepresentatives of Pennsyl- 
vania, Virginia, and Maryland met with the Six 
Nations. Conrad Weiser acted as friend and inter- 
preter for the Indians. Upon the purchase accom- 
plished at this treaty the English thereafter based 
their western territorial rights against the Indians. 

1748 Ohio Land Company organized by Thomas Lee, Presi- 
dent of the Virginia Assembly, to settle the lands 
about the headwaters of the Ohio. 
[ V ] 



CHRONOLOGY 

1748 Conrad Weiser presided over Council and Treaty with 

the Indians at Logstown further confirming the 
Treaty at Lancaster. 

1749 The Governor-General of Canada despatched Captain 

Celeron down the Allegheny and Ohio rivers to take 
formal possession of that region for France in the 
name of Louis XV. by depositing Leaden Plates, en- 
graved to that effect, and buried at various points. 
French possession of the ' ' Three Rivers ' ' was thus 
declared and recorded August third, 1749. 

1749 Many evidences of English traders among the Indians 

in this region. 

1750 Christopher Gist blazed the trail west over the moun- 

tains from Virginia, following the Potomac, the 
Juniata, the Kiskiminetas down the Allegheny into 
the Ohio, below the " Three Rivers." 

1751 Christopher Gist again went west and was present at 

a treaty with the Indians held at Logstown. 

1752 Beginning of the Boundary dispute between Penn- 

sylvania and Virginia. 

1753 George Washington, with Gist for guide, acted as mes- 

senger for Governor Dinwiddle, of Virginia, to the 
Commandant at Fort Le Boeuf. 

1754 Captain Trent and forty men sent by Governor Din- 

widdle arrived at the Forks of the Ohio, and began 
the erection of a stockade. 

1754 April seventeenth, Captain Contrecoeur, with several 
hundred French and Indians, came down the Alle- 
gheny, demanded the surrender of Trent's men and 
sent them back to Governor Dinwiddle, declaring 
the English to be encroaching on French territory. 

1754 The erection of Fort Duquesne on the *' Point " 
named in honor of the Governor-General, of 
Canada. 

1754 May twenty-eighth, " Battle of Little Meadows " (a 
skirmish in which Washington was successful). 

1754 July third, " Battle of Great Meadows " (an engage- 
ment of some ultimate purport, in which Washing- 
ton was defeated, and forced to evacuate the stock- 
ade called " Fort Necessity "). 
[ vi ] 



CHRONOLOGY 

1754 Services held by Catholic daaplain at Chapel, in Fort 

Duquesne. 

1755 July ninth, Braddock's defeat. 

1756 September, Colonel Armstrong's successful expedi- 

tion against Kittanning. 

1758 September fourteenth, Major Grant, with a detach- 
ment of the Forbes army, made a precipitate attack 
on the French, in the vicinity of Fort Duquesne, and 
suffered a disastrous defeat. 

1758 November twenty-fourth, the French destroyed their 
stores at Fort Duquesne, fired the structure, and 
hurriedly evacuated, being unequal to meet and re- 
sist General Forbes. 

1758 November twenty-fifth. General Forbes and his army 
camped in sight of the smouldering ruins. Among 
his officers were Colonel George Washington and 
Colonel Bouquet. 

1758 The name * ' Pittsburgh ' ' first used. 

1758-59, winter of. Erection of the first Fort Pitt. Colonel 
Hugh Mercer in command. 

1759 September third, General Stanwix, with large force of 

workmen, began the erection of the substantial 
structure of Fort Pitt, which was not completed 
until the summer of 1761. 

1760 First recorded population of Pittsburgh, 464. 

1760 First boats built in Pittsburgh. 

1761 The first schoolmaster had twenty scholars. 

1763 Survey of boundary between Pennsylvania and Mary- 
land commenced by Mason and Dixon. 

1763 Siege of Fort Pitt during Conspiracy of Pontiac. 

1763 May thirtieth, Captain Ecuyer, Commandant of the 
Fort, demolished the town of Pittsburgh, and took 
the inhabitants into the Fort. 

1763 August eleventh, siege lifted by reinforcements under 

Colonel Bouquet. 

1764 Redoubt or Block House built during summer, bearing 

tablet engraved '' Coll. Bouquet, 1764." 
1764 First survey made of Pittsburgh, by Colonel John 
Campbell. 

[ vii ] 



CHEONOLOGY 

1766 Coal was used in the Garrison, and '' Coal Hill " was 
burning. 

1768 October twenty-fourth, at a conference with the Six 

Nations, Delawares and Shawanese, Thomas and 
Richard Penn purchased, for $10,000.00, territory 
including Pittsburgh and vicinity. 

1769 Early part of this year, the Manor of Pittsburgh was 

surveyed, containing 5,766 acres. 

1770 Washington stopped at Pittsburgh on a journey to 

look over land he held in the '' Western Country." 
Previous to the year 1770, a short distance above 
where the arsenal is now located, Jonathan Plum- 
mer erected a distillery. 

1771 The Penns appointed magistrates to act in Pittsburgh. 

1772 October, because of the Penn purchase of 1768, Gen- 

eral Gage ordered Major Edmonson to abandon 
Fort Pitt. 

1773 By order of Governor Dunmore, of Virginia, Dr. John 

Connolly took possession of Fort Pitt, and renamed 

it Fort Dunmore. 
1775 August seventh, Captain John Neville, with 100 men, 

garrisoned Fort Pitt. 
1775 February twenty-first, Virginia held the first court in 

Pittsburgh. 
1775 A ducking stool was erected at the Point. 
1775 May sixteenth, prominent Pittsburghers took part in a 

meeting at Hannastown, to indorse the action of the 

eastern provinces in resisting Great Britain. 

1779 Amicable settlement of the bitter Boundary Dispute, 

between Pennsylvania and Virginia. 

1780 Iron ore discovered on western slope of the AUe- 

ghenies. 

1781 Protest of citizens against Colonel Brodhead. 

1781 November sixth, Cornwallis surrender reported at 

Fort Pitt. 

1782 Monongahela declared open to the public, followed 

shortly by similar declarations regarding the Ohio 
and Allegheny. 

1783 September, William Butler was granted the right of a 

ferry between Pittsburgh and the tract opposite 
(Allegheny). 

[ viii ] 



CHEONOLOGY 

1784 March, Jolin Ormsby was granted tlie right of a ferry 
from Pittsburgh across the Monongahela. 

1784 David Elliott was granted the right of a ferry from 
Saw Mill Run to the opposite bank of the Ohio. 

1784 Woods and Vickroy surveyed Pittsburgh. 

1784 First sale of land included in the Manor of Pittsburgh 

was made to Isaac Craig and Stephen Bayard. 

1785 September, An Act appropriated $10,000.00, for a 

State road between Miller's Spring and Pittsburgh. 

1786 July twenty-ninth, John Scull and Joseph Hall estab- 

lished the Pittsburgh Gazette. 

1786 Hugh Ross established the first ropewalk. 

1787 Deed executed by John Penn and John Penn, Jr., for 

two and one-half lots for erection of Trinity Church ; 

deed filed at Greensburg, 1788. 
1787 Presbyterian congregation organized at Pittsburgh; 

Penns deeded lot for this church. 
1787 German Evangelical Church also given lots by the 

Penns for a church. 
1787 First postal service. 
1787 First Market House. 

1787 Incorporation of Pittsburgh Academy. 

1788 The Reserved Tract, opposite Pittsburgh (now Alle- 

gheny), was surveyed. 
1788 Allegheny county erected. 
1788 December, first court of Quarter Sessions held in the 

house of Andrew Watson. 
1788 First Circulating library. 
1790 Iron ore found in Fayette county by John Hayden. 

1790 Furnace of Alliance Iron Works first blown in, on 

November first. 

1791 Congress laid an excise on spirits. 

1791 An Act appropriating $2,500.00 for a road from Bed- 

ford to Pittsburgh, was passed. 

1792 George Anshutz built the first iron furnace in Pitts- 

burgh. 
1792 May first, Fort Fayette first occupied. 
1792 Mass meeting to denounce whiskey tax. 
1794 April twenty-second, Pittsburgh incorporated as a 

Borough. 

[ ix ] 



CHRONOLOGY 

1794 May nineteenth, first election of Borough officers, two 
chief Burgesses elected, George Robinson and 
Josiah Tannehill. 

1794 August twentieth, General Anthony Wayne, at Fort 
Deposit, so completely defeated the Indians as to 
forever relieve Pittsburgh from the devastations 
and raids to which it had always been subject. 

1794 August first, seven thousand men gathered in rebellion 
against the government because of the whiskey tax. 

1794 October first. President Washington and an army of 

about 12,000 started for Pittsburgh. Before they 
had reached Bedford the insurrectionists had sub- 
mitted and the Whiskey Insurrection ended. 

1795 Jacob Bowman made nails in his factory at Browns- 

ville. 
1797 First glass manufactured by Craig and O'Hara. 
1797 April sixteenth, a meeting of the citizens at which it 

was resolved to buy fifty fire buckets. This was the 

beginning of the Fire Department. 
1799. First court house completed. 
1800 Population of Pittsburgh, 1,565. 

1802 Pathways of brick, stone or gravel, bounded by curb- 
stones, were laid in the town. 
1802 August ninth. Town Council ordered four wells sunk 

to increase the water supply. 
1803-4 First iron foundry in Pittsburgh erected by Joseph 

McClurg on the northeast comer of Fifth avenue 

and Smithfield street. 
1804 March fifth, Borough of Pittsburgh re-incorporated. 
1804 First cotton factory by Peter Eltonhead. 
1804 A branch of the Bank of Pennsylvania established. 
1804 First line of stages, with regular schedule, between 

this place and the East. 
1808-9 First white or flint glass house. 
1810 Population of Pittsburgh was 4,740. 
1810 Great flood ; much damage done. 

1810 Bank of Pittsburgh organized as a private institution. 

1811 First steamboat, the ' ' New Orleans, ' ' built on western 

waters at Pittsburgh. 
1813 Pittsburgh '' Humane Society " established. 

[ X ] 



CHRONOLOGY 

1813-14 Building of the Allegheny Arsenal. 

1816 March eighth, Pittsburgh incorporated as a city. 

1816 Mayor of Pittsburgh, Ebenezer Denny, 

1816 Bayardstown and Lawrenceville laid out. 

1816 Charters granted for the first bridges over the Monon- 

gahela and Allegheny, 

1817 September fifth. President Monroe visited the city. 
1817 Mayor, John Darragh ; served until 1825, 

1817 Branch Bank of the United States established. 

1817 259 factories and manufactories, 

1818 Monongahela bridge opened. 

1819 First rolling mill to puddle iron and roll iron bars. 

Union Rolling Mill. 

1819 Februar}^ eighteenth, charter of Western University. 

1820 First Allegheny bridge opened. 

1820 Population, 7,248, 

1821 Gas found by Cook and McClelland while boring for 

salt water, on Little Chartiers Creek, six miles from 
Washington, Pa. 
1825 Visit of General Lafayette. 

1825 Mayor, John M. Snowden ; served until 1828. 

1826 Bill authorizing the Pennsylvania Canal. 

1827 Completion of the State Prison ; cost $183,092. 

1828 Mayor, Magnus M. Murray ; served until 1830. 

1828 April fourteenth, Allegheny and Birmingham incor- 
porated into boroughs. 

1828 December, first waterworks went into operation. 

1829 April twenty-third. The Northern Liberties became a 

borough. 
1829 November tenth, first canal boat entered Pittsburgh. 

1829 December fourth, the city was divided into four wards, 

North, South, East, and West. 

1830 Mayor, Matthew B. Lowrie. 

1830 Population of Pittsburgh and environs, 22,461. 

1830 Great tariff agitation. 

1831 Mayor, Magnus M. Murray. 

1831 First steam ferry. 

1832 Mayor, Samuel Pettigrew; served until 1836. 
3832 A scourge of cholera. 

1833 Daniel Webster visited the city. 

[ xi ] 



CHRONOLOGY 

1833 Removal of govemment deposits from the branch of 

the United States Bank. 
1833-34 Legislature amended the city charter, and the 
mayor was elected from the body of the people. 

1834 April sixteenth, completion of the canal from the coast 

to Pittsburgh. 

1835 September, first common schools opened in Pitts- 

burgh. 
1835-36 Organization of first Board of Trade in Pittsburgh. 

1836 Mayor, Jonas R. McClintock ; served until 1839. 

1837 February twenty-second, Monongahela Navigation 

Company obtained a charter. 

1837 The four wards of the city were denominated First, 
Second, Third, and Fourth, and the Northern Lib- 
erties were incorporated as the Fifth Ward. 

1837 First Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh. 

1837 The Panic. 

1837 Suspension of specie payment. * ' Rag currency ' ' pre- 
vailed. 

1837 April fifth, city first lighted by gas. Experiments 
made, 1829. 

1839 Mayor, William Little. 

1840 Mayor, William W. Irwin. 

1840 Pittsburgh and Beaver Canal opened. 

1840 During this year about one hundred iron boats were 

made in Pittsburgh. 
1840 Population of Pittsburgh proper, 21,115; including 

suburbs, 38,931. 
1840 Pittsburgh known as the Iron City. 

1840 5,927 people engaged in manufacturing in what is now 

Greater Pittsburgh. Capital invested in manufac- 
turing, $3,554,562. 

1841 Mayor, James Thomson. 

1842 Tariff legislation affecting Pittsburgh industries. 
1842 Mayor, Alexander Hay ; served until 1845. 

1842 Three bridges across the Allegheny. 
1842 Six daily and twelve weekly newspapers, besides 
periodicals, published here. 

1842 The second court house completed ; cost $200,000. 

1843 The third jail completed. 

[ xii ] 



CHRONOLOGY 

1844 Second system of waterworks put into operation. 

1845 Mayor, William J. Howard. 

1845 Great fire. Fifty-six acres of Pittsburgh consumed. 

1845 First towing of coal by steam, by Daniel Bushnell and 

the " Walter Forward." 
] 846 Mayor, William Kerr. 

1846 Tariff legislation affecting Pittsburgh industries. 

1846 First telegraphic communication with the east. 

1847 Mayor, Gabriel Adams ; served until 1849. 

1847 January first, first hospital '' The Mercy." 

1848 Henry Clay visited Pittsburgh. 

1849 Mayor, John Herron. 

1849 President Taylor, accompanied by Governor Johnston, 

visited Pittsburgh. 

1850 Population of Pittsburgh proper, 46,601; including 

suburbs, 55,583. 
1850 Mayor, Joseph Barker. 

1850 Value of Pittsburgh manufactures, $50,000,000. 

1851 Pittsburgh and Ohio Railroad completed to Beaver; 

July first, first locomotive, *' The Salem," arrived 
by canal. 

1851 Mayor, John B. Guthrie; served until 1853. 

1852 Baltimore & Ohio and Pennnsylvania Central Rail- 

roads opened. 
1852 Board of Health established. 

1852 Visit of Louis Kossuth, ex-Governor of Hungary. 
1852-53 Building of City Hall and Market House on the 

Diamond. 

1853 Mayor, Robert M. Riddle. 

1853 Work on Allegheny Valley Railroad commenced. 

1853 Post-office and Government Building erected, corner 

of Fifth avenue and Smithfield street. 
1853-54 Effort to consolidate Pittsburgh and Allegheny 
and adjacent boroughs. 

1854 Mayor, Ferdinand E. Volz ; served until 1856. 

1854 Another visitation of cholera by which 249 persons 

died. 
1854 Inauguration of the use of iron in the outside, structure 

of buildings. 
1854 Reorganization of the Board of Trade. 

[ xiii ] 



CHRONOLOGY 

1855 Roman Catholic Cathedral completed. 

1856 Mayor, William Bingham. 

1856 February, holding of the first National Republican 

Convention, Lafayette Hall, 

1857 Mayor, Henry A. Weaver; served until 1860. 

1857 September to January first, 1858, business almost at 
a stand-still. 

1857 The Public Works (canals) purchased by the Penn- 

sylvania Railroad Company for $7,500,000. 

1858 First operation of the law requiring that the mayor, 

treasurer, and controller be elected biennially by a 
general vote. 

1859 First street railway built. 

1859 August twenty-eighth, first oil well; great excitement 

in Pittsburgh. 

1860 Mayor, George Wilson ; served until 1862. 
1860 Work on Allegheny Observatory commenced. 

1860 Visit of Prince of Wales (now Edward VII., of Eng- 
land). 

1860 City disturbed over its railroad debt. 

1860-61 General suspension of specie payment. 

1860 Tariff legislation affecting Pittsburgh industries. 

1860 December twenty-fourth, Secretary of War Floyd or- 
dered removal of cannon from Arsenal. 

1860 December twenty-seventh, citizens resolved to prevent 

removal. 

1861 January third. Secretary Floyd recalled order for re- 

moval of cannon. 
1861 February fourteenth and fifteenth. President Lincoln 

visited Pittsburgh. 
1861 April fourteenth, war excitement intense. 
1861 April fifteenth. Committee of Public Safety formed. 

1861 April seventeenth, the first troop, the Turner Rifles, 

left Pittsburgh for the front. 

1862 Mayor, B. C. Sawyer; served until 1864. 

1862 September seventeenth. Arsenal explosion, 74 killed. 
1862-64 War tariff legislation affected Pittsburgh favor- 
ably ; increased growth of city. 
1864 Mayor, James Lowry ; served until 1866. 
1864 Panic of short duration. 

[ xiv ] 



CHRONOLOGY 

1864 Sanitary Fair held. 

1865 September nineteenth, General Grant visited Pitts- 

burgh. 

1866 Mayor, W. S. McCarthy; served until 1868. 

1866 September thirteenth, President Johnson, Admiral 
Farragut, General Grant and Secretaries Seward 
and Wells visited Pittsburgh. 

1868 Mayor, James Blackmore. 

1869 Manufacture of air brakes begun by George Westing- 

house. 
1869 Mayor, Jared M. Brush; served until 1872. (Term 
extended to three years). 

1869 September fourteenth, President Grant visited Pitts- 

burgh. 

1870 Capital invested in Pittsburgh manufactures $106,- 

732,000.00; value of products, $82,057,000.00. 
1870 Paid fire department inaugurated. 
1870-80 Many banks established. 
1872 Mayor, James Blackmore; served until 1875. 
1872 Work on new water system commenced. 
1872 District south of the Monongahela, 27.7 square miles, 

annexed to the city. 

1872 New City Hall completed. 

1873 Many bank suspensions. 

1874 Steel manufactured by Bessemer process at Edgar 

Thomson Steel Works. 

1875 Mayor, William C. McCarthy; served until 1878. 

1875 Natural gas applied to manufacturing. 

1876 Point Bridge opened. 

1877 Railroad riots. 

1878 Mayor, Robert Liddell ; served until 1881. 

1881 Mayor, Robert W. Lyon; served until 1884. 

1882 May seventh, second court house burned. 
1884 Mayor, Andrew Fulton ; served until 1887. 

1887 Mayor, William McCallin; served until 1890. 

1888 Present court house completed. 
1888 Centennial celebration. 

1890 Mayor, Henry I. Gourley; served until 1893. 

1892 July, Homestead strike. 

1893 Mayor, Bernard McKenna; served until 1896. 

[ XV ] 



CHRONOLOGY 

1896 Mayor, Henry P. Ford; served until 1899. 
1899 Mayor, William J. Diel; served until 1901. 

1899 January thirteenth, ordinance for the widening of 

Diamond alley; work completed 1904. 

1900 Population 321,616. 

1901 Recorder, A. M. Brown. 

1901 Recorder, J. 0. Brown; served until 1903. 

1903 Recorder, W. B. Hays ; served about one week. 

1903 Mayor, W. B. Hays; served until 1906. 

1903 January twenty-third, ordinance for the widening of 
Virgin alley; March twenty-third, 1904, name 
changed to Oliver avenue; work completed Decem- 
ber eleventh, 1905. 

1905 250,000 men engaged in manufacturing. 

1905 $2,000,000,000.00 invested in iron and steel manufac- 
tures; 103,000,000 tons of freight handled. 

1905 First department of the Carnegie Technical Schools 

opened. 

1906 Roman Catholic Cathedral completed. 
1906 Mayor, George W. Guthrie. 



[ xvi ] 



SOURCES 



Colonial Records; Pennsylvania Archives; Hazard's 
Register of Pennsylvania; Niles' Register; Justin Winsor's 
Narrative and Critical History of America; Pennsylvania 
Magazine of History and Biography; The Magazine of 
Western History; Olden Times, Neville B. Craig; Annals 
of the West, Albach; Frontier Forts, edited by Dallas 
Albert; Works of Benjamin Franklin; The Journal of 
General Arthur St. Clair; William Trent's Journal; Jour- 
nal of Colonel Bouquet's Expedition; Upland and Denny's 
Journal; Gazette Publications, H. H. Brackenridge ; Fort 
Pitt, Mary C. Darlington; Gist's Journal, William M. 
Darlington; Old Round Church, Oliver Ormsby Page; 
Monongahela of Old, Judge James Veech; The Boundary 
Controversy, Judge James Veech; Pennsylvania and Vir- 
ginia Boundary Controversy, Neville B. Craig; Watson's 
Annals; History of Pittsburgh, Isaac Craig; Honest Man's 
Almanac, 1812; Riddle's Directory for 1815; Lyford's 
Western Directory ; Isaac Jones ' Directory for 1826 ; Har- 
ris' Directory for'l837; The Pittsburgh Gazette from 1786- 
1880; The Pittsburgh Commercial Journal; The Commer- 
cial; The Hesperus and Western Miscellany; The Rhode 
Island Mercury; The New York Sun; The New York 
Tribune; The Boston Commercial Bulletin; Manuscript 
from the Manuscript Department of the Congressional 
Library, at Washington; Pamphlets from the State His- 
torical Society of Pennsylvania ; Pamphlets from the State 

[ xvii ] 



SOURCES 

Historical Society of New York; History of the United 
States, George Bancroft ; Montcalm & Wolfe, Francis Park- 
man; Conspiracy of Pontiac, Francis Parkman; Spark's 
Life and Writings of Washington; History of American 
Politics, Alexander Johnston; Twenty Years in Congress, 
James G. Blaine; Tariff History of the United States, F. 
W. Taussig; History for Ready Reference, J. N. Larned; 
Financial History of the United States, A. S. Bolles; Life 
of Henry Clay, Carl Schurz ; Daniel Webster, H. C. Lodge ; 
Thirty Years' View, T. H, Benton; The Tariff Controversy, 
0. H. Elliott; Travels through some of the Middle and 
Southern North American States, 1783-1784, Johann Davis 
Shoepf, Chancellor of the Medical College of Bayreuth; 
Travels in America, Thomas Ashe; Pope's Tours through 
the Southern and Western Territories of the United States, 
John Pope; Fearon's Travels; The Eastern and Western 
States of America, J. S. Buckingham, Esq.; Flint's Letters 
from America; Michaux's Travels to the Westward of the 
Allegheny Mountains; A Tour of the Unsettled Parts of 
North America, Journey Made in 1796 by Francis Baily; 
Recollections of the West, H. M. Brackenridge ; History of 
Pennsylvania, William H. Egle; Notes and Queries, Egle; 
History of the Whiskey Insurrection, H. M. Brackenridge; 
Whiskey Insurrection, Findley ; History of Western Penn- 
sylvania, by a Gentleman of the Bar (Rupp) ; Mrs. Royall's 
Description of Pittsburgh; Allegheny County, Its Early 
History, Rev. A. A. Lambing ; The Catholic Church and the 
Diocese of Pittsburgh and Allegheny, Rev. A. A. Lambing ; 
History of Allegheny County, 1753-1876 ; Judiciary of Alle- 
gheny County, J. W. F. White ; Digest of Pittsburgh Laws ; 
Rebellion Record of Allegheny County; Anonymous pam- 
phlet, published by W. A. Lare and W. M. Hartzell ; Pitts- 
burgh As It Is, George H. Thurston ; Pittsburgh and Alle- 
gheny in the Centennial Year, George H. Thurston; Alle- 
gheny County's Hundred Years, George H. Thurston; 
Pittsburgh's Progress, Industries and Resources, George H. 
Thurston; Pittsburgh, Its Industries and Commerce, 1870; 
Historical Gleanings, Judge Parke; Standard History of 
Pittsburgh, edited by Erasmus Wilson ; Life and Reminis- 
cences, William G. Johnston ; Bishop's History of American 

[ xviii ] 



SOURCES 

Manufactures; Report on the Manufacture of Glass, Joseph 
D. Weeks, 1884; Iron in All Ages, Swank; Merchants' 
Magazine of New York, 1854; Pittsburgh's Quarterly Maga- 
zine ; Chamber of Commerce Reports ; The Banker ; A Cen- 
tury of Banking in Pittsburgh; Annual Reports of the 
Public Schools of Pittsburgh; Review of Reviews, 1905; 
Harper's Weekly, 1877; Leslie's Weekly, 1877; The Index; 
The Leader; The Post; The Dispatch; The Bulletin. 



[ xix ] 



THE 

HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 



FRONTIER TIMES 



The birth of Pittsburgh dates back to the contention of 
England with France for the continent of North America. 
The English had colonized the seaboard from Maine to 
Florida, and year by year were pushing farther inland their 
frontier line, claiming the land from the sea west, without 
limit, by right of the discoveries of the Cabots. The 
French had colonized the valley of the St. Lawrence and 
had possessed themselves of the Mississippi by the pioneer 
voyage of La Salle in 1682, claiming all the territory of the 
Mississipi)i and of its tributary rivers. It was inevitable 
that these rivals should meet, and they met where the 
Allegheny and Monongahela rivers unite to form the Ohio. 

In 1688 a comparison of the English with the French in 
North America showed the French to be in a majority by 
a proportion of almost twenty to one, and to this advan- 
tage of numbers they continually added advantage of 
position. 

Governor Spotswood of Virginia, in 1716, alarmed by the 
encroachments of the French, attempted to break the line 
of French possessions from Canada to Louisiana by extend- 
ing the English settlements still farther west. He examined 
the mountain passes, encouraged settlers to establish them- 
selves on the other side, endeavored to increase the friendly 
relations with the Indians, and planned a Virginia Indian 

[ 1 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Company whose profits should pay for the maintenance of 
frontier defences. But his project was treated with in- 
difference and he accomplished nothing. 

In 1719 Governor Keith of Pennsylvania urged upon the 
*' Lords of Trade " the necessity of the erection of a fort 
on Lake Erie, and Lieutenant-Governor Patrick Gordon 
brought the situation again before a meeting of the Pro-- 
vincial Council, held at Philadelphia, August fourth, 1731. 

The minutes of this Council record that the French claims 
on this continent were " exorbitant; " that by the descrip- 
tion in the map there produced " they claim a great part 
of Carolina and Virginia, and had laid down Sasquehanna 
as a boundary of Pennsylvania, " * * * ^nd ' ' that by 
virtue of some treaty, as they allege, the French pretend 
the right to all the land lying on rivers the mouths of which 
they are possessed; that the river Ohio (a branch of the 
Mississippi) comes close to those mountains which lie about 
one hundred and twenty or one hundred and thirty miles 
back of Sasquehanna, within the boundaries of this 
province, as granted by the King's Letters Patent; that 
adjoining thereto is a fine tract of land, called Allegheny, 
on which several Shawanese Indians had seated themselves. 
And that by advices lately brought to him by several 
traders in those parts, it appears that the French have been 
using endeavors to gain over those Indians to their inter- 
ests. " * * * It was further represented ' ' how destructive 
this attempt of the French, if attended with success, may 
prove to the English interests in this continent and how 
deeply in its consequences it may affect this province," 
* * * and it was moved that " to prevent or put a stop 
to these designs if possible a treaty should be set on foot 
with the Five Nations," * * * that " the Shawanese 
may not only be kept firm to the English interest, but like- 
wise be induced to remove from Allegheny nearer to the 
English settlements. * * * and no opportunity ought 
to be lost of cultivating and improving the friendship 
which has always subsisted between this government and 
them." * * * 

Thus it was becoming more and more evident that if the 
English desired to extend their colonial possessions farther 

[ 2 ] 



FRONTIER TIMES 

west, a binding treaty with the Indian nations should be 
speedily made. This, however, was not accomplished until 
the June of 1744, when Pennsylvania, Virginia and Mary- 
land met with the Six Nations at Lancaster, Pa., with 
Conrad Weiser as the '' friend and interpreter " of the 
Indians. " On the terms of this treaty the claims of the 
colonists to the west by purchase rested, and upon this and 
the grant from the Six Nations Great Britain relied in all 
subsequent steps." 

At this time a Memorial was sent to the Prime Minister 
of England, Sir Robert Walpole, representing the pre- 
carious situation of the colonies. He, however, was so 
engrossed with the European condition that he did not con- 
sider the perplexities of the colonists. This lack of pro- 
tection to the colonies by the mother country bred early the 
necessity of independent action which culminated in the 
Revolution. 

Governor Spotswood's scheme of settlement having 
failed, no further attempt was made till the year 1748, when 
a company denominated '' The Ohio Land Company," com- 
prised of gentlemen of Virginia and Maryland, among 
whom were Lawrence and Augustine Washington, was 
organized avowedly to further the Indian trade, but for the 
actual purpose of driving a wedge of English settlement 
west of the Allegheny mountains. 

George the Second, through the right of discovery by the 
Cabots, granted to this company one-half million acres of 
land, " to be taken principally on the south side of the Ohio 
between the Monongahela and Kanawha." Two hundred 
thousand acres were to be taken up at once and to be free 
of rents and taxes to the King for ten years, upon con- 
dition that the company should settle, within seven years, 
'one hundred families on the lands, build a fort, and main- 
tain a garrison to protect the settlement. 

News of this project drifted to Pennsylvania and French 
traders in the Ohio region, who had no desire whatsoever 
to see Virginia gain a foothold and interfere with their 
interest, so word was taken to the Marquis de la Galis- 
soniere, Commandant General of New France (Canada), 
who forthwith dispatched M. Celeron de Brienville with 

[ 3 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

an escort of two hundred men to take formal possession of 
the country in such manner as should thereafter give France 
B legal right thereto. Accordingly, Celeron buried, at the 
mouths of the tributary rivers to the Ohio, leaden plates, 
whereon was engraved the announcement that Louis XV. 
held the country '' by force of arms and by treaties, espe- 
cially those of Riswick, of Utrecht, and of Aix-la-Chapelle. ' ' 
Celeron also sent a letter to Governor Hamilton of Pennsyl- 
vania, dated " Camp on the Beautiful River, at an old 
village of the Shawanese, 6th August, 1749," desiring him 
to forbid that region to English and Colonial traders, assur- 
ing Governor Hamilton of his surprise at finding them 
there trespassing on the territory of France. Copies of 
this letter were sent by three different traders to insure its 
reaching the Governor. Several of these plates have been 
found, the earliest bearing the date of July twenty-ninth, 
1749. 

After Celeron's reconnoissance, in 1750, the French pro- 
ceeded to erect a series of forts, designed ultimately to 
connect their Canadian possessions with Louisiana, and 
did erect three: the first on the present site of the city of 
Erie; the second at what is now Waterford, and the third 
near what is now the town of Franklin. 

The Ohio Land Company, in 1750, sent Christopher Gist, 
a surveyor, to explore their lands on and about the Ohio 
river, but nothing was accomplished in the way of a settle- 
ment owing to the obstacles which the traders and the 
French threw in their way. The Company concluded that 
the friendship of the Indians was of first necessity. In 
pursuance of this policy the treaty made at Logstown 
(about the present site of Sewickley) took place the next 
year. Mr. Gist attended as an agent for the Company, 
and the Indians agreed not to molest any settlements that 
might be made on the southeast side of the Ohio. It is 
remarkable, that in the debates attending the negotiation of 
this treaty, the Indians took care to disclaim a recognition 
of the English title to any of these lands. In a speech to 
the Commissioners, one of the old Chiefs said, '^ you 
acquainted us yesterday with the King's right to all the 
lands in Virginia, as far as it is settled, and back from 

[ 4 ] 



LAN I> 4^ DV REGNE DE LOVIS XV ROY.. 1^^ .,,:y: 
FRANCE NOVS CELORON COMMANDANT ^"^^ i^ U^'y-^;-:'^,--./:^ 
TACHEMENT ENN^OIE PAR MONSIEVR LE, M- Dcf' LlA ' ' 

CALtSSONiERE , COMMANDANT GENERAL DE LA ^ ^, 

NOVVELLE IvRANCE POYR RETABLIR LA TRAN^viLJ^JTE ; 
DANS HVELHVES ^ VILLAGES SAUVAGES DE C.E.S ,"" CANrOM5 
AV0N5 ENTERRE CETTE PLA^VE A LENTR E E DE 1/V /./%^^ 
RIUfERE CHINODAHICHETHA LE ISAOUST ^■■■•■'^' ■ ■'■:l|§ 

FRC? DE LA RIVIERE, 6Y(3_aUTREMENT BELLE' ^-fe 
R-IVIERE POVR MONVMENT d'v " R ENO V VELLEME N T . DE.'^V^^^^^ 
POSSESSION gVE NOVS AVONS : PRIS DE l^A DITTEJ:0:^ 



RIVIERE OYO ET 



TOVTES CELLES *IVi Y TOMBI<?"r 



E'T DE TOVES LES TERRES DES DEVX GQJE5 J VS^ VE ^s- 
AVX SOVFCES DES DITTES RlviES VINSf ylVEIC*, ONT 
lOVY OV pV JOVIR LES PRECEDENTS R(SXS DE FRANCE 
^ET_^ ^VILS sisONT MAINTENVS PAR LE5^-,5i-ARMES ^ET 
PAR LES TRAITTES ■ SPECIALEMENT PAR^; t EVX , ,0 E 
RISVVICK DVTRGHT . ET DAIX LA CHPELLe' / ,^ :^, '^ ^ 



RELIC OF THE FRENCH DOMINATION, FOUND at POINT PLEASANT, BURIED IN 
THE SUMMER OF 17-19. 

■' In the year 1749, in the reign of Louis XV., King of France, we, Celoron, commandant of a detachment 
sent by the Marquis de la Gallssoniere, commandant general of New France, to re-establish tranquility in some 
Indian towns in these departments, have buried this plate at the mouth of the river * Chinodahichetha, this 
18th day of August, near the river Ohio, otherwise called Beautiful River, as a memorial of the resumption 
of possession we have made of the said river Ohio, and all those that fall into it, and of all the lands on both 
sides up to the sources of the said rivers, the same as the preceding Kings of France have enjoyed or were en- 
titled to enjoy, and as they are established by arms and by treaties, especially by t]iose of Ryswick, Utrecht, 
and Aix-la-Chapelle." — Translated from the French. 

It is a lead plate about nine inches in breadth, twelve or fourteen in length, and near an eighth of an inch in 
thickness. The inscription appears evidently to have been made by stamps. These appear to have been en- 
graved with a knife or instrument for that purpose, and are of thesame size and shape of the stamped letters 
made in France with others similar, expressly for the purpose of preserving memorials of their claims. 

* " Chinodahichetha " is doubtless the Indian name of the river now known as the Great Kanawha. 



FRONTIER TIMES 

thence to the sunsetting, whenever he shall think fit to 
extend his settlements. You produce, also, a copy of his 
deed from the Onondaga council, at the Treaty of Lancaster, 
1744, and desire that your Brethren of the Ohio might like- 
wise concur in the deed. We are well acquainted that our 
Chief Council at the Treaty of Lancaster confirmed a deed 
to you for a quantity of land in Virginia, which you have 
a right to; but we never understood, before you told us 
yesterday, that the lands then sold were to extend farther 
to the sunsetting than the hill on the other side of the 
Allegheny hill, so that we can give you no further answer. ' ' 
This treaty was concluded June thirteenth, 1752. Colonel 
Joshua Fry, Colonel Lunsford Lomar, and Colonel James 
Patten were present in the interest of Virginia. 

In the meantime some of the original twenty shares of 
the Ohio Company changed hands and Governor Dinwiddle 
became a proprietor. When, therefore, during the spring 
and summer of 1753 various intelligences were received of 
French and Indians, coming down in numbers about the 
head of the Ohio, thereby endangering the holdings of the 
Company, he sent George Washington to deliver a letter 
to the Commandant of the French forces on the Ohio. 

Washington, at the time of his appointment by Governor 
Dinwiddle, was twenty-one years of age and this was his 
first commission ; thus the foundation of Pittsburgh has the 
unique honor of being connected with the first notable ser- 
vice of Washington's career. 

Because of the interest of this journey. Governor Din- 
widdle's Letter of Instruction is given in full; also extracts 
from Washington's journal of his expedition: 

" Whereas I have received information of a body of French 
forces being assembled in a hostile manner on the river Ohio, 
intending by force of arms to erect certain forts on the said river 
within this territory, and contrary to the dignity and peace of 
our Sovereign, the King of Great Britain; 

" These are, therefore, to require and direct you, the said 
George Washington, forthwith to repair to Logstown on the said 
river Ohio; and having there informed yourself where the said 
French forces have posted themselves, thereon to proceed to such 

[ 5 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBURGH 

place; and, being there arrived, to present your credentials, with 
my letter to the chief Commanding Officer and in the name of 
His Britannic Majesty to demand an answer thereto. 

" On your arrival at Logsto^vn you are to address yourself to 
Half-King, to Monacatoocha, and to the other sachems of the 
Six Nations, acquainting them with your orders to visit and de- 
liver my letter to the French Commanding Officer, and desiring 
the said chiefs to appoint you a sufficient number of their warriors 
to be your safe guard as near the French as you may desire, and 
await your further direction. 

" You are diligently to inquire into the number and force of 
the French on the Ohio and the adjacent country; how they are 
likely to be assisted from Canada ; and what are the difficulties 
and conveniences of that communication, and the time required 
for it. 

" You are to take care to be truly informed what forts the 
French have erected and where ; how they are garrisoned and 
appointed, and what is their distance from each other and from 
Logstown; and from the best intelligence you can procure you 
are to learn what gave occasion to this expedition of the French ; 
how they are likely to be supported and what their pretensions are. 

" When the French Commandant has given you the required 
and necessary dispatches you are to desire of him a proper guard 
to protect you as far on your return, as you may judge for your 
safety, against any straggling Indians or hunters, that may be 
ignorant of your character and molest you. 

" Wishing you good success in your negotiation, and safe and 
speedy return, I am, etc., 

" ROBERT DINWIDDIE. 

" WiLLiAMSBUKG, SOtJi of Octoher, 1753." 

" To George WasJiington Esquire, one of the Adjutants-General 
of the Troops and Forces in the Colony of Virginia: 
" 1, reposing especial trust and confidence in the ability, con- 
duct and fidelity of the said George Washington, have appointed 
you my express messenger; and you are hereby authorized and 
empowered to proceed hence, with all convenience and possible 
dispatch to the part or place on the river Ohio, where the French 
have lately erected a fort or forts or where the commandant of 
the French forces resides, in order to deliver a message to him; 

[ 6 ] 



FRONTIER TIMES 

and after waiting not exceeding one week for an answer, you are 
to take your leave and return immediately back. 

" To this commission I have set my hand, and caused the great 
seal of this Dominion to be affixed, at the City of Williamsburg, 
the seat of my government, this 30th day of October, in the 
twenty-seventh year of the reign of his Majesty, George the 
Second, King of Great Britain, etc., etc., Anno-que Domini 1753. 

" ROBERT DINWIDDIE." 

'' To all to whom these presents may come or concern, Greeting: 

" Whereas I have appointed George Washington Esquire by 
commission under the great seal my express messenger to the 
commandant of the French Forces on the river Ohio and as he is 
charged with business of great importance to his Majesty and 
this Dominion: 

" I do hereby command all His Majesty's subjects, and par- 
ticularly require all in alliance and amity with the Crown of 
Great Britain, and all others to whom this passport may come, 
agreeably to the law of ISTations, to be aiding and assisting as a 
safeguard to the said George Washington and his attendants, in. 
his present passage to and from the Ohio river aforesaid. 

" ROBERT DINWIDDIE." 

" To the Lords of the Board of Trade : 

" Right Honokable. — My last to you was on the 16th of 
June to which I beg you to be referred. In that I acquainted 
you of the accounts we have had of the French, with the Indians 
in their interest, invading his Majesty's lands on the river Ohio. 

" The person sent as a commissioner to the commandant of 
the French forces neglected his duty and went no further than 
Logstown on the Ohio. He reports that the French were one 
hundred and fifty miles farther up that river, and I believe was 
afraid to go to them. On the application of the Indians in 
friendship with us on the Ohio I sent Mr. William Trent with 
guns, powder, and shot to them, with some clothing; and enclosed 
I send you his report and conferences with these people, on his 
delivering them the present. 

" I have received by a Man-of-War sloop, orders from the 
Right Honorable Earl of Ilolderness, and instructions from his 

[ 7 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Majesty. In consequence thereof ^ I have sent one of the adjutants 
of militia, George Washington, out to the Commander of the 
French forces, to know their intentions and by what authority 
they presume to invade His Majesty's Dominions in the time of 
tranquil peace. When he returns I shall transmit you an account 
of his proceedings and the French commander's answer. 

" Your Lordships, etc., 

" ROBERT DINWIDDIE." 

Extracts from Washington's Journal of a Tour over the 
Allegheny mountains : 

" I was commissioned and appointed by the Honorable Robert 
Dinwiddle, Esquire, Governor, etc., of Virginia, to visit and 
deliver a letter to the commandant of the French forces at the 
Ohio, and set out on the intended journey on the same day 
(October 31st, 1Y53) ; the next I arrived at Fredericksburg and 
engaged Mr. Jacob Vanbraam to be my French interpreter and 
proceeded with him to Alexandria, where we provided necessaries. 
From thence we went to Winchester (Virginia) and got baggage, 
horses, etc., and from thence we pursued the new road to Will's 
Creek where we arrived on the 14th of ]!^ovember. Here I 
engaged Mr. Gist to pilot us out and also hired four others as 
servitors, Barnaby Currin, and John McQuire Indian traders; 
Henry Steward and William Jenkins; and in company with 
these persons left the inhabitants the next day. The excessive 
rains and vast quantities of snow which had fallen prevented our 
reaching Mr. Frazier's at the mouth of Turtle creek on Monon- 
gahela river till Thursday, the 22nd (ISTovember). We were 
informed here that expresses had been sent a few days before 
to the traders down the river to acquaint them with the French 
General's death and the return of the major part of the French 
army into winter quarters. The waters were quite impassable 
without swimming our horses which obliged us to get the loan of 
a canoe from Frazier and to send Barnaby Currin and Henry 
Steward down the Monongahela with our baggage, to meet us 
at the forks of the Ohio, about ten miles below, there to cross the 
Allegheny. As I got down before the canoe I spent some time 
in viewing the rivers, and the land in the fork, which I think 
extremely well situated for a fort, as it has the absolute command 
of both rivers. The land at the point is about twenty-five feet 

[ 8 ] 



FRONTIER TIMES 

above the common surface of the water, and a considerable bottom 
of flat well timbered land all around it very convenient for build- 
ing. About two miles from this, at the place where the Ohio 
Company intended to erect a fort, lives Shingiss, King of the 
Delawares. We called upon him to invite him to a Council at 
Logstown. As I had taken a good deal of notice yesterday of the 
situation at the fork, my curiosity led me to examine this more 
particularly, and I think it greatly inferior, either for defense 
or advantages ; especially the latter. For a fort at the fork would 
be equally well situated on the Ohio, and have the entire command 
of the Monongahela, which runs up our settlement, and is 
extremely well designed for water carriage, as it is of a deep still 
nature. Besides, a fort at the fork might be built at much less 
expense than at the other place." 

"Washington found the Indians in this neighborhood ap- 
prehensive. Half -King (Tanacharison), who was friendly 
to the English, told Washington he had already made 
known to the French Father at Venango that this was 
Indian land, not French, saying: '' If you had come in a 
peaceable manner, like our brothers, the English, we would 
not have been against your trading with us as they do; 
but to come, fathers, and build houses upon our land and 
take it by force is what we cannot submit to. 

' ' Fathers, both you and the English are white, we live in 
a country between, therefore the land belongs to neither 
the one nor the other, but the Great Being above allowed 
it to be a place of residence for us ; so. Father, I desire you 
to withdraw, as I have done our brothers the English, for 
I will keep you at arms length. I lay this down as a trial 
for both to see which will have the greatest regard to it, 
and that side we will stand by and make equal sharers with 
us. Our brothers, the English, have heard this, and I come 
now to tell it to you, for I am not afraid to discharge you 
off this land. ' ' 

After some days delay Washington finally added to his 
party Half -King, who took with him the French speech-belt 
that he might return it, thus intending to break off friendly 
intercourse with the French; Jeskakake, WTiite Thunder, 
and the Hunter (the famous Guyasuta) started on the road 

[ 9 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

to Venango, where they arrived the fourth of December, 
'' without anything remarkable happening but a series of 
bad weather." " We found the French colors hoisted at 
a house from which they had driven Mr. John Frazier, an 
English subject. I immediately repaired to it to know 
where the Commandant resided. There were three officers, 
one of whom, Captain Joncaire, informed me that he had 
the command of the Ohio, but that there was a general 
officer at the near fort (Le Boeuf) where he advised me 
to apply for an answer. He invited us to sup with him 
and treated us with great complaisance. The wine, as 
they dosed themselves pretty plentifully with it, soon 
banished the restraint which at first appeared in their con- 
versation, and gave a license to their tongues to reveal 
their sentiments more freely. They told me that it was 
their absolute design to take possession of the Ohio, and, 
by G-D, they would do it; for that, although they were 
sensible the English could raise two men for their one, yet 
they knew their motions were too slow and dilatory to 
prevent any undertaking of theirs." 

On the seventh he wrote : ' ' We found it extremely diffi- 
cult to get the Indians off to-day as every stratagem had 
been used to prevent their going up with me * * * At 
twelve o'clock we set out for the fort and were prevented 
arriving there until the eleventh by excessive rains, snows 
and bad travelling through many mires and swamps. ' ' 

The twelfth, at Le Boeuf: '' I prepared early to wait 
upon the commander, and was received and conducted to 
him by the second officer in command. I acquainted him 
with my business and offered my commission and letter. 
* * * The commander is a knight of the military order 
of St. Louis and named Legardeur de St. Pierre. He is an 
elderly gentleman and has the air of a soldier." 

Fourteenth: "As the snow increased very fast and our 
horses daily became weaker, I sent them off unloaded, under 
the care of Barnaby Currin and two others, to make all 
convenient dispatch to Venango and there to wait our 
arrival, if there was a prospect of the rivers freezing; if 
not, then to continue down to Shanapin's town at the forks 
of Ohio and there to wait until we came cross the Allegheny ; 

[ 10 ] 



FRONTIER TIMES 

intending myself to go down by water, as I had the offer of 
a canoe or two. 

''As I found many plots concerted to retard the Indians' 
business, and prevent their returning with me, I endeavored, 
all that lay in my power, to frustrate their (the French) 
schemes, and hurried the Indians on to execute their 
intended design. They accordingly pressed for admittance 
this evening, which at length was granted them privately 
to the commander and one or two other officers. The 
Half -King told me that he offered the wampum (speech- 
belt) to the commander, who evaded taking it, and made 
many fair promises of love and friendship, said he wanted 
to live in peace and trade amicably with them, as a proof 
of which he would send some goods down to the Logstown 
for them. But I rather think the design of that is to bring 
away all our straggling traders they meet with, as I 
privately understood they intended to carry an officer, etc., 
with them. And what rather confirms this opinion : I was 
inquiring of the commander by what authority he had 
made prisoners of several of our English subjects. He 
told me that the country belonged to them ; that no English- 
man had a right to trade upon those waters; and that he 
had orders to make every person prisoner who attempted 
it on the Ohio, or the waters of it * * * This evening I 
received an answer to his Honor the Governor's letter from 
the commandant." 

Fifteenth: '' The commandant ordered a plentiful store 
of liquor, provision, etc., to be put on board our canoes, 
and appeared to be extremely complaisant, though he was 
exerting every artifice which he could invent to set our 
Indians at variance with us, to prevent their going until 
after our departure; presents, rewards and everything 
which could be suggested by him or his officers. I cannot 
say that ever in my life I suffered so much anxiety as I 
did in this affair; I saw that every stratagem which the 
most fruitful brain could invent was practised to win the 
Half -King to their interest.'" 

On the next day, however, after much urging, the Indians 
set off for Venango with Governor Dinwiddle 's young mes- 
senger, reaching that place on the twenty-second, after a 

[ 11 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

tedious, fatiguing journey. Here again Captain Joncaire 
tried to disaffeet Half-King, who insisted to Washington, 
however, that he knew the French only too well and would 
surely leave in a day or two, bringing with him White 
Thunder, who was hurt, by way of the river. Washington 
further said in his Journal : "As I was uneasy to get back, 
to make report of my proceedings to his Honor the Gov- 
ernor, I determined to prosecute my journey, the nearest 
way through the woods, on foot. Accordingly I left Mr. 
Vanbraam in charge of our baggage. * * * I took my 
necessary papers, pulled off my clothes and tied myself 
up in a watch coat. Then with gun in hand and pack on 
my back, in which were my papers and provisions, I set out 
with Mr. Gist fitted in the same manner, on Wednesday the 
twenty-sixth. The next day we continued travelling until 
quite dark, and got to the river about two miles above 
Shanapin's. We expected to have found the river frozen, 
but it was not only about fifty yards from each shore. The 
ice I suppose had broken above us for it was driving in 
v&jt quantities. There was no way of getting over but 
on a raft ; which we set about with but one poor hatchet and 
finished just after sunsetting. This was a whole day's 
work; we next got it launched, then went on board of it 
and set off; but when we were about half way over, we 
were jammed in the ice in such a manner that we expected 
every moment our raft to sink and ourselves to perish. 
I put out my setting pole to try to stop the raft, that the 
ice might pass by; when the rapidity of the stream threw 
it with so much violence against the pole, that it jerked me 
out into ten feet of water; but I fortunately saved myself 
by catching hold of one of the raft logs. Notwithstanding 
all our efforts, we could not get to either shore, but were 
obliged, as we were near an island, (Wainright's, long since 
washed away), to quit our raft and make to it." 

On the sixth of January, 1754, Washington wrote : ' ' We 
met seventeen horses loaded with materials and stores for 
a fort at the fork of the Ohio, and the day after some 
families going out to settle. This day we arrived at Will 's 
Creek. ' ' 

On the sixteenth of February (1754), Washington 

[ 12 ] 



FRONTIER TIMES 

arrived at Williamsburg and waited upon Governor Din- 
widdle with the letter from the French Commandant, and 
offered with it his journal. This journal was published 
widely and even sent to London to show the position taken 
by the French and to stir the English to action. St. Pierre 
in his letter assured Governor Dinwiddle that his letter 
should be given to the Marquis Du Quesne, '^ to whom it 
better belongs than to me to set forth the evidence and 
reality of the rights of the King, my master, upon the lands 
situated along the Ohio and to contest the pretensions of 
the King of Great Britain thereto. His answer shall be 
a law to me * * * As to the summons to retire you send 
me, I do not think myself obliged to obey it. Whatever 
may be your instructions, I am here by virtue of the orders 
of my general, and I entreat you sir not to doubt one 
moment but that I am determined to conform myself to 
them with all the exactness and resolution which can be 
expected from the best officer * * * j made it my par- 
ticular care to receive Mr. Washington with the distinction 
suitable to your dignity, as well as his own quality and 
merit. I flatter myself he will do me this justice before 
you, sir, and that he will signify to you, in the manner I do 
myself, the profound respect with which I am, sir, etc. ' ' 

This made it entirely clear to Governor Dinwiddle and 
the Ohio Company that the French intended to take posses- 
sion of the lands on the Ohio and its tributaries as soon as 
it could be accomplished. 

After the return of Washington from his journey to the 
French commander, at Fort Le Boeuf, and his report to 
Governor Dinwiddle, the Virginia House of Burgesses 
made a grant of ten thousand pounds for the protection of 
the frontier. Washington, who had been stationed at 
Alexandria, to enlist recruits, received from Dinwiddle a 
commission as Lieutenant-Colonel and orders, ^' with one 
hundred and fifty men, to take command at the forks of the 
Ohio, to finish the fort already begun there by the Ohio 
Company, and to make prisoners, kill or destroy all who 
interrupted the English settlements." Officers and men 
were promised two hundred thousand acres of land on the 
Ohio. 

[ 13 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

It was the opinion in England that the Colonies should 
combine to defend the frontier, and efforts were made to 
hold a Convention of the Provinces for that purpose, but 
want of foresight and intercolonial jealousies prevented 
any progress in this matter until later in the year. Penn- 
sylvania, like Maryland, fell into strife with its pro- 
prietaries, and, indignant at their lack of liberality, made 
no grant although the French were within their borders. 
Virginia was thus the only colony that made any special 
effort to take possession of the Ohio country at this time. 

The Ohio Land Company had, in the previous January, 
made preparations for occupying the territory at the 
junction of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers. To 
aid this enterprise Governor Dinwiddle authorized the 
formation of a company of militia under the command of 
Captain William Trent; John Frazier, the Indian trader, 
residing at Turtle Creek on the Monongahela, being 
appointed Lieutenant, and Edward Ward, Ensign, Trent 
was at this time engaged in building a log storehouse at 
Redstone (now Brownsville, Pa.). On receiving orders 
to raise one hundred men he returned to Virginia for that 
purpose. He started west with only forty men intending to 
recruit the remainder on the journey. In this he was dis- 
appointed. His route was by Christopher Gist's, the Red- 
stone trail to the mouth of the Redstone creek, and from 
thence to the forks of the Ohio, where he arrived on the 
seventeenth of February, 1754, and on the point bounded 
by the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers commenced im- 
mediately the building of a stockade or small fort of 
squared logs. 

A few weeks later Captain Trent was obliged to return 
to Will's Creek, on the other side of the mountain, for 
provisions, and, Lieutenant Frazier being absent. Ensign 
Ward was left in command, when on the sixteenth of April 
the French, under Contrecoeur, came down from the north 
and demanded the surrender of the post. Resistance being 
useless, Ward withdrew, and with his party returned to 
Redstone. 

Washington arrived at Will's Creek on the twentieth of 
April, and two days later Ensign Ward arrived, announcing 
his surrender. 

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FRONTIER TIMES 

Later, a full account of the affair was given under oath 
by Ensign Ward to Governor Dinwiddie, who transmitted 
it to the British government. This remote event has been 
considered the commencement of the memorable '' Seven 
Years War, ' ' which was terminated by the Treaty of Paris, 
1763, by which Prance lost all her territory in North 
America, with the exception of the Isle of Orleans. 

The commencement of this fort by the Ohio Land Com- 
pany under Trent, and its completion by the French under 
Contrecoeur, may be considered the first settlement at Pitts- 
burgh. Contrecoeur named the fort '' Duquesne," in 
honor of the Governor-General of Canada, the Marquis Du 
Quesne, a grand nephew of Abraham Du Quesne, the famous 
Admiral of Louis XIV. 

The surrender of the post was immediately reported by 
Washington to the Governors of Virginia, Maryland, and 
Pennsylvania with requests for reinforcements. In the 
meantime, after consultation with his brother officers, 
Washington resolved to advance and endeavor to reach the 
Monongahela river in the vicinity of Redstone creek, and 
there erect a fortification. 

On the ninth of May, 1754, with three companies, he 
arrived at " Little Meadows," which was about one-third 
the distance to Redstone creek and about half the distance 
to ^' Great Meadows," where the information awaited him 
that ContreccEur had been reinforced by eight hundred men. 
He encamped on the Youghiogheny near the present site of 
Smithfield, Fayette county, where, in a few days, a messen- 
ger from Half-King arrived with the information that the 
French were about to attack him. Other messages were 
received at the same time reporting the enemy in the 
immediate vicinity. 

Washington at once put his ammunition in a place of 
safety and set out during the night with forty men to reach 
Half-King. Upon arriving a council was immediately held 
and it was decided to join forces and attack the enemy, 
marching in single file, according to Indian custom. 

Early the next morning a skirmish took place which 
resulted in a complete victory for Washington and the 
death of Jumonville, the French commander. 

[ 15 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

This brief encounter, though insignificant in itself, was 
of importance, as it was the first exchange of fire in that 
long struggle, the French and Indian war. It also marks 
the first military engagement of Washington. 

The account of this action is taken from Washington's 
official reports, which were sent by Governor Dinwiddle to 
the English government, and is corroborated by extracts 
from Washington's private journal captured by the French 
at Braddock's defeat a year later and published by the 
French government. Contrecoeur's account to Du Quesne, 
in a letter dated June second, 1754, is entirely different, 
claiming that Jumonville and his party were sent out as an 
envoy and that Washington had fired on them; but from 
the evidence of those engaged on the English side the 
actions of Jumonville hardly conformed to those of an en- 
voy. England claimed that a state of war had existed since 
the capitulation of Ensign Ward to the French on the seven- 
teenth of the previous April, and that Washington was but 
obeying the order of his superior ' ' to clear the Ohio head- 
waters of French invaders." 

Washington, with about four hundred men, now pro- 
ceeded to enlarge and fortify the stockade which protected 
his stores and ammunition, calling it Fort Necessity, and 
appealed for additional troops ; but none came, excej^ting an 
independent company from South Carolina, under Captain 
Mackay, who resented Washington's position as command- 
ing officer, and in consequence did practically nothing. 

Meantime, the French at Duquesne were hastening to 
make good their loss at " Little Meadows." On the third 
of July, 1754, six or seven hundred French, led by Villiers, 
brother to Jumonville, with about a hundred Indians, took 
up an advantageous position and opened fire on Fort 
Necessity. The engagement was sharp throughout, and 
after about nine hours, his ammunition being practically 
exhausted, Washington was compelled to accede to Villiers' 
summons to a conference. The terms of the capitulation 
were misrepresented to Washington, who did not under- 
stand French, and he accepted them, and in accordance 
therewith, on the fourth of July, 1754, the English with- 
drew from Fort Necessity, taking with them such of their 

[ 16 ] 



FRONTIER TIMES 

effects as were possible, but leaving Captains Stobo and 
Vanbraam as hostages. 

Such was the outcome of the first attempt of the English, 
more exactly speaking, the Virginians, in the interest of the 
Ohio Land Company, to hold the country on and about the 
headwaters of the Ohio; and the French had seemingly 
demonstrated that the eastern mountains were the western 
boundary of English dominion in North America. 

Governor Dinwiddle received a letter from Captain 
Robert Stobo during his imprisonment in Fort Duquesne 
which gave the Virginians the only accurate information 
regarding the garrison there and the description of the 
fort itself. In a letter dated July twenty-eighth, 1754, 
he wrote: 

'' * * * I send this by Monakatoocha's brother-in- 
law, a worthy fellow, and may be trusted. On the other 
side you have a draft of the Fort, such as time and oppor- 
tunity would admit of at this time. The garrison consists 
of two hundred workmen, and all the rest went in several 
detachments, to the number of one thousand, two days 
hence. Mercier, a fine soldier, goes so that Contrecoeur, 
with a few young officers and cadets, remain here. A 
lieutenant went otf some days ago, with two hundred men, 
for provisions. He is daily expected. When he arrives, 
the garrison will. La Force is greatly wanted here — no 
scouting now. He certainly must have been an extraor- 
dinary man amongst them — he is so much regretted and 
wished for. * * * Consider the good of the expedition, 
without the least regard for us. For my part I would die 
a thousand deaths, to have the pleasure of possessing this 
fort but one day. They are so vain of their success at the 
Meadows, it is worse than death to hear them. Strike this 
fall as soon as possible. Make the Indians ours. Prevent 
intelligence. * * * Qne hundred trusty Indians might 
surprise this fort. They have access all day, and might 
lodge themselves so that they might secure the guard with 
the tomahawks; shut the sally gate, and the fort is ours. 
None but the guard and Contrecoeur stay in the fort. For 
God's sake communicate this to but few, and them you can 
trust. Intelligence comes here unaccountably. * * * 
Pray be kind to this Indian." 
2 [ 17 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

In the letter of the twenty-ninth he said : ' ' The French 
use the Indians with the greatest artifice, * * * There 
are two hundred men here at this time and two hundred 
more expected in a few days; the rest went off in several 
detachments to the amount of one thousand, besides Indians. 
The Indians have great liberty here; they go out and in 
when they please without notice. If one hundred trusty 
Shawanese, Mingoes and Delawares were picked out, they 
might surprise the fort, lodging themselves under the plat- 
form behind the palisadoes by day, and at night secure the 
guard with tomahawks. The guard consists of forty men 
only, and five officers. None lodge in the fort but the 
guard, except Contrecoeur — the rest in bark cabins around 
the fort * * * ." 

After the surrender of Washington at Fort Necessity, 
and his return to Virginia, the disappointed Governor of 
that province at once made an effort to provide for another 
attempt to repossess the forks of the Ohio ; endeavoring to 
procure a grant of money from the House of Burgesses, 
which was only accomplished after much delay and 
difficulty. 

The governors of the various provinces were at this time 
trying to make their assemblies grant money for defence, 
but in most cases were met with indifference. Even the 
inhabitants of Pennsylvania did not seem concerned 
whether or not the French held the Ohio valley. Half the 
population was Quaker traders, who either did not see how 
the French occupation of the Ohio country could affect 
their interests, or else from religious principles were 
opposed to war; while the other half was mainly German 
and they cared little whether they lived under English 
or French rule, provided they were left in peace on their 
farms. 

Until this time the English government had forced on 
the colonists the burden of repelling the advance of the 
French in North America. But it was now plainly evident 
that unless drastic measures were taken by the home gov- 
ernment France would absorb the New World. France 
and England made protestation of a desire for peace to 
each other while they secretly made preparations for war. 

[ 18 ] 



BUTLER 







I CAMBRIA 



1 

i 

I 
i 



lA' , _ . r~"^. __^^ ]\ _ n ^ ss r^fT-A- ^. "ve \) ^ ^^ ^^_ V ^ 



FRONTIER TIMES 

England already had a large navy, and being formidable 
at sea it was her policy to strike quickly ; but France on the 
sea was weak, and it was her interest to avoid an immediate 
issue. 

The British ministry therefore despatched General Brad- 
dock and two regiments to Virginia. France sent the 
Baron Dieskau with an army, and Marquis de Vaudriel, 
who was to succeed Du Quesne as Governor, to Quebec. 
The diplomats of each country meantime assured one 
another that nothing hostile was intended. 

On the twentieth of February, 1755, Braddock landed at 
Hampton, Virginia, as Commander of the British forces in 
America. Shortly after his arrival he met the Colonial 
Governors at Alexandria ; when the Council readily agreed 
to the main points of an aggressive campaign. 

Shirley was to take Niagara; an army of Provincials, 
under William Johnson, was to capture Crown Point; the 
New Englanders were to attack the Acadian Peninsula; 
while the attack on Fort Duquesne, being the most difficult, 
was to be undertaken by Braddock himself. 

Braddock 's choice of route to the Ohio has been deemed, 
by some authorities, an error. (Parkman, " Montcalm 
and Wolfe," Vol. I, p. 196; AVinsor, " Narrative and 
Critical History of America," Vol. V, p. 495.) Had Brad- 
dock landed at Philadelphia and marched through Pennsyl- 
vania, instead of marching from Alexandria through Vir- 
ginia and Maryland, his route would have been through a 
more populous and better cultivated country, and his base 
of supplies less distant. The enemies of the English Ad- 
ministration attributed the selection of the Virginia route 
to the influence of John Hanbury, a Quaker merchant, who 
traded extensively in Virginia, and who had been consulted 
by the Duke of Newcastle, because of his supposed 
familiarity with American affairs. It has also been claimed 
that the desire of Governor Dinwiddle to develop the Vir- 
ginia route to the Ohio had quite as much to do with the 
choice. 

General Braddock brought with him two regiments of 
five hundred men each from the British army in Ireland; 
the Forty-fourth, commanded by Sir Peter Halket, and tlie 

[ 19^] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURG-H 

Forty-eighth by Colonel Dunbar. The English troops, 
accompanied by a suitable train of artillery, military sup- 
plies and provisions, marched from Alexandria to Will's 
creek, arriving there about the middle of May. The forces 
which Braddock was able to bring together at this point 
amounted to somewhat more than two thousand men; one 
thousand belonging to the Royal Regiments, the remainder 
supplied by the colonies. Among the latter were parts of 
two independent companies from New York, one of which 
was commanded by Captain Gates, afterwards a Major- 
General in the Revolutionary Army. 

The army was detained for several weeks at Will's creek, 
owing to the scarcity of supplies. The inhabitants of the 
Colonies showed such unwillingness to furnish supplies and 
such indiiierence to the expedition that even Washington 
was provoked to severely censure them. Upon the Pennsyl- 
vanians fell the major portion of the blame. In a letter to 
William Fairfax, dated Will's Creek, June seventh, 1755, 
Washington said: "A line of communication is to be 
opened from Pennsylvania to the French Fort Duquesne, 
along which, after a little time, we are to receive all our 
convoys of provisions, and to give all possible encourage- 
ment to a people who ought rather to be chastised for their 
insensibility to danger and disregard of their Sovereign's 
expectation. They, it seems, are to be the favored people, 
because they have furnished what their absolute interest 
alone induced them to do, that is, one hundred and fifty 
wagons and an equivalent number of horses. ' ' In the same 
letter he also said : ' ' The General, from frequent breaches 
of contract, has lost all patience, and for want of that 
temper and moderation which should be used by a man 
of temper and sense upon these occasions will, I fear, 
represent us in a light we little deserve, for instead of 
blaming the individuals, as he ought, he charges all his 
disappointments to public supineness and looks upon the 
country, I believe, as void of honor and honesty. We have 
frequent disputes on this head which are maintained with 
warmth on both sides, especially on his, as he is incapable 
of arguing without it or giving up any point he asserts, 
be it ever so incompatible with reason or common sense." 

[ 20 ] 



FRONTIER TIMES 

Although rather injudicious in his expression General 
Braddock had just reason for complaint. He was de- 
ceived and disappointed by contractors in nearly every 
instance, and his efforts to have the army proceed were 
thus impeded. Braddock, however, praised the New Eng- 
land colonies and echoed Dinwiddle's declaration that they 
had shown a fine martial spirit. He also commended Vir- 
ginia as having done far better than her neighbors ; but for 
Pennsylvania he could not find words enough to express his 
wrath. He was ignorant of the strife between proprieta- 
ries and people, and therefore could see no excuse for con- 
duct which threatened the ruin of both the expedition and 
the colony. All depended upon speed, and speed was 
impossible. Many of the colonists believed the alarm about 
French encroachment to be but a scheme of designing 
politicians and did not fully realize their peril until dis- 
asters and calamities forced it upon them, caused by the 
folly of their own representatives, who, instead of giving 
the expedition full and prompt support, displayed a per- 
verseness and narrowness which gave Braddock very just 
ground for his anger and contempt. 

The obstacles which prevented the progress of the army 
were removed by Franklin. Being at the time Postmaster- 
General for the colonies he visited Braddock at Frederick- 
town in order to arrange for the transmission of dispatches 
between the General and Governors. On the fifth of June, 
Braddock wrote from Will's Creek to the Secretary of 
State, as follows: 

'^ Before my departure from Frederic, I agreed with 
Mr. Benjamin Franklin, Post Master in Pennsylvania, who 
has great credit in that Province, to hire one hundred 
fifty wagons and the necessary number of horses. This 
he accomplished with promptitude and fidelity and it is 
almost the only instance of address and integrity which I 
have seen in all the Provinces. ' ' Franklin, upon his return 
to Pennsylvania, issued an address to the farmers, and by 
appealing to their interest and their fears obtained the 
necessary wagons and horses. 

The methods of transportation being obtained at the 
eleventh hour the march to Fort Duquesne was continued. 

[ 21 J 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

George Washington sent the following letter to his brother, 
John A. Washington, from Youghiogany, on the twen«ty- 
eighth of June, 1755 : 

"At the Little Meadows a second council was called 
wherein the urgency for horses was again represented to 
the officers of the different corps, and how laudable a 
further retrencliment of their baggage would be, that the 
spare ones might be turned over for the public service. 
In order to encourage this, I gave up my best horse, which 
I have never heard of since, and took no more baggage than 
half my portmanteau would easily contain. It is said, 
however, that the number reduced by this second attempt 
was only from two hundred and ten or twelve to two hun- 
dred, which had no perceivable effect. 

'' The General, before they met in council, asked my 
private opinion concerning the expedition. I urged him in 
the warmest terms I was able, to push forward, if he even 
did it with a small but chosen band, with such artillery and 
light stores as were necessary; leaving the heavy artillery, 
baggage, and the like with the rear division of the army, to 
follow by slow and easy marches, which they might do 
safely while we were advanced in front. As one reason to 
support this opinion, I urged that, if we could credit our 
intelligence, the French were weak at the Fork, at present, 
but hourly expected reinforcements, which, to my certain 
knowledge, could not arrive with provisions, or any sup- 
plies, during the continuance of the drought, as the Buffalo 
River (Riviere aux Bceufs), down which was their only 
communication to Venango, must be as dry as we now found 
the Great Crossing of the Youghiogany, which may be 
passed dry-shod. 

'^ This advice prevailed, and it was determined, that the 
General with one thousand two hundred chosen men, and 
officers from all the different corps, under the following 
field officers, viz: Sir Peter Halket, who acts as brigadier; 
Lieutenant-Colonel Gage, Lieutenant-Colonel Burton, and 
Major Sparks, with such a number of wagons as the train 
would absolutely require, should march as soon as things 
could be got in readiness. This was completed, and we were 
on our march by the nineteenth, leaving Colonel Dunbar 

[ 22 ] 



FRONTIER TIMES 

and Major Chapman behind, with the residue of the two 
regiments, some Independent Companies, most of the 
women, and in short, everything not absolutely essential, 
carrying our provisions and other necessaries upon horses. 

'' We set out with less than thirty carriages, including 
those that transport the ammunition for the howitzers, 
twelve-pounders, and six-pounders, and all of them strongly 
horsed, which was a prospect that conveyed infinite delight 
to my mind, though I was excessively ill at the time. But 
this prospect was soon clouded, and my hopes brought very 
low indeed, when I found, that, instead of pushing on with 
vigor, without regarding a little rough road, they were 
halting to level every mole-hill, and to erect bridges over 
every brook, by which means we were four days in getting 
twelve miles. * * * " 

On the eight of July, General Braddock and his division 
arrived at the junction of the Youghiogheny and Mononga- 
hela rivers, where he was joined by Washington, who had 
been compelled to remain in the rear because of a severe 
attack of fever, from which he was barely recovered. Owing 
to the steep and rugged ground on the north side of the 
Monongahela, when about fifteen miles distant from Fort 
Duquesne, the army crossed to the south bank and con- 
tinued to march on that side until opposite the present site 
of the borough of Braddock, when the river was reforded 
about noon on the ninth. 

Washington was afterwards frequently heard to remark 
that the fording of the Monongahela by the British troops, 
on this eventful day, was the most beautiful spectacle he 
ever witnessed. The sky was without a cloud, the sun 
made the burnished arms and the scarlet uniforms of the 
British regulars even more brilliant, as they marched in 
columns with all the regularity of veterans of the Old 
World, to which the tranquil river and the grandeur of a 
primeval forest was a romantic and beautiful background. 

The advance column came into the road, consisting of, 
first, the guides with some half dozen Virginia light horse- 
men, followed at about forty yards by the vanguard; next, 
Gage with three hundred men, and Sinclair with the axe- 
men; then two cannon, with ammunition and tool wagons; 

[ 23 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBURGH 

the rear-guard with flanking parties thrown into the woods. 
Braddock moved in with the main body almost immediately. 
The pack horses, cattle and wagons were brought through 
the thicket, with immense difficulty. The Provincials with 
a body of regulars were in the rear. 

The force at Port Duquesne in the summer of 1755 was 
small. Contrecoeur, who was kept well informed of the 
British movements by his Indian scouts, had little belief in 
his ability to hold the Fort against an attack. But Beaujeu, 
a man of extreme dash and courage, finally persuaded 
Contrecoeur to let him go out to intercept the English. 
Beaujeu 's force consisted of somewhat more than two 
hundred regulars and Canadians, with about seven hundred 
Indians. It was Beaujeu 's design to intercept Braddock at 
the ford of the Monongahela, but failing to make this in 
time he disposed his men in a rough, well wooded rising 
ground, where they waited, unseen by the advancing army. 

The first intimation the English had of the presence of 
the French was a volley, from ambush, which checked their 
advance. Gage returned the fire with cannon and musketry, 
and the only visible adversary fell, being probably Beaujeu. 
Confusion was caused in the French ranks, the Indians and 
Canadians falling back. Braddock, hearing the firing, at 
once hurried to the front, but no enemy was to be seen, the 
French keeping behind the brush and trees, and deliberately 
picking off their opponents in the open. Braddock, brave, 
energetic, but obstinate and devoid of judgment, ignoring 
the advice of Washington and the example of the Provin- 
cials (who hurried behind trees to fight the French in their 
own way), mechanically followed Old World tactics, and 
railed at the run for cover as the basest cowardice; his 
soldiers must fight in order, in the open. It was unfortu- 
nate that so much bravery was not accompanied by an 
equal amount of judgment. Braddock and his officers set 
the soldiers every possible example of courage and forti- 
tude; Braddock himself had five horses shot under him, 
and at last fell mortally wounded; Washington lost two 
horses and had four bullets through his coat, but was him- 
self unscathed ; many of the officers were killed or wounded. 

It was useless to fire blindly at unseen foes, and to be a 

[ 24 ] 



FRONTIER TIMES 

target for imerring shots was beyond endurance. The In- 
dians, encouraged, returned and added still more terror. 
At last, panic-stricken, the English fled in the wildest con- 
fusion; their imaginations haimted by the carnage and the 
blood-curdling cries of the Indians, they hurried on and on, 
and put many a mile between them and the field of battle be- 
fore exhaustion compelled a halt. Only four hundred 
eighty-two men recrossed the river, where but a few hours 
previous an army, well disciplined and in fine array, had 
passed. 

Braddock was removed with difficulty and against his 
wish, desiring to die where he had fallen. He lingered for 
three days, and shortly before he expired was heard to 
mutter : ' ' We shall know how to deal better with them next 
time." He was buried in the middle of the road, the 
wagons driving over his grave so as to efface all marks 
that might attract the attention of the Indians. The grave 
was afterwards located a few yards west of the Braddock 
Run on the National Turnpike, in Wharton township, Fay- 
ette county, on the north side of the road. 

There is a report, with perhaps some foundation, that 
Braddock was shot by one of his own men, a certain Thomas 
Fausett, whose brother Joseph, Braddock had cut down 
with his sword for his persistence in fighting from behind 
a tree. Watson, in his Annals, gives the story credence. 



Washington sent his mother the following description of 
the disastrous battle: 

" To Mrs. Mary Washington, near Fredericksburg: 

' ' HoNOEBD Madam : As I doubt not but you have heard 
of our defeat, and perhaps, had it represented in a worse 
light, if possible, than it deserves, I have taken this earliest 
opportunity to give you some account of the engagement 
as it happened, within ten miles of the French fort, on 
Wednesday the ninth instant. 

'' We marched to that place without any considerable 
loss, having only now and then a straggler picked up by 
the French and scouting Indians. When we came there, 

[ 25 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

we were attacked by a party of French and Indians, whose 
number, I am persuaded, did not exceed three hundred 
men ; while ours consisted of about one thousand three hun- 
dred well-armed troops, chiefly regular soldiers, who were 
struck with such a panic, that they behaved with more 
cowardice than it is possible to conceive. The officers be- 
haved gallantly, in order to encourage their men, for which 
they suffered greatly, there being near sixty killed and 
wounded; a large proportion of the number we had. 

' ' The Virginia troops showed a good deal of bravery, and 
were nearly all killed; for I believe, out of three companies 
that were there, scarcely thirty men are left alive. Captain 
Peyrouny,' and all his officers down to a corporal, were 
killed. Captain Poison had nearly as hard a fate, for only 
one of his was left. In short, the dastardly behavior of 
those they call regulars exposed all others, that were in- 
clined to do their duty, to almost certain death ; and, at least, 
in despite of all the efforts of the officers to the contrary, 
they ran, as sheep pursued by dogs, and it was impossible 
to rally them. 

' ' The General was wounded, of which he died three days 
after. Sir Peter Halket was killed in the field, where died 
many other brave officers. I luckily escaped without a 
wound, though I had four bullets through my coat, and two 
horses shot under me. Captains Orme and Morris, two of 
the aids-de-camp, were wounded early in the engagement, 
which rendered the duty hard upon me, as I was the only 
person then left to distribute the General's orders, which 
I was scarcely able to do, as I was not half recovered from 
a violent illness that had confined me to my bed and a wagon 
for about ten days. I am still in a weak and feeble con- 
dition, which induces me to halt here two or three days in 
the hope of recovering a little strength, to enable me to 
proceed homeward ; from whence, I fear, I shall not be able 
to stir till towards September; so that I shall not have the 
pleasure of seeing you till then, unless it be in Fairfax. 
Please to give my love to Mr. Lewis and my sister; and 
compliments to Mr. Jackson, and all other friends that 
inquire after me. I am, honored Madam, your most 
dutiful son." 

[ 26 ] 



FRONTIER TIMES 

The French loss was small, but Beaujeu, who commanded 
the action, was killed. There is no record to show that 
Contrecoeur, the Commandant of the Fort, took any part 
in the engagement. Denys Baron, the French Chaplain, 
records the burial of Monsieur Beaujeu, in the ^' Register 
of Baptisms and Burials at Fort Duquesne," as having 
taken place on the twelfth of July in the Cemetery of the 
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin at the Beautiful River, 
with the ordinary ceremonies. All trace of this cemetery 
was lost when Fort Pitt was erected. 

James Smith, later a Colonel and a member of the Ken- 
tucky Legislature, has described the return of the French 
and Indians to Fort Duquesne, and the horrible torture of 
the English prisoners, during the next three days, by the 
savages, without interference from the French. 

Of the four armies sent to accomplish the design of the 
Duke of Newcastle, by striking simultaneously, or nearly 
so, at the four dominant points of French dominion in 
America, Braddock, whose task was heaviest, was signally 
defeated ; Washington says, ' ' scandalously beaten. ' ' This 
disheartened Shirley, and the movement against Fort 
Niagara proved abortive; thus the western division of the 
scheme failed. Johnson was to capture Crown Point, but 
on reaching the head of navigation on the Hudson, Fort 
Lyman, was engaged by the French, who were routed by 
Lyman, who was in command, Johnson being ill. Johnson, 
well pleased with the outcome, moved on down to Albany 
and received a baronetcy and five thousand pounds. The 
expedition of the New Englanders was successful. Fort 
Beau Sejour surrendered; and, shortly afterwards. Fort 
Gaspereaux, which was little more than a stockade, was 
invested by the English. Acadia was in the hands of the 
English in June, 1755. 

Braddock 's defeat cast a gloom over the colonies and 
weakened England's position at home. Towards the end 
of the year, England made an alliance with Prussia, and in 
May, 1756, war was formally declared against France. 
Fort Duquesne, the object of England's design under Brad- 
dock, continued to be a point of contention, because of its 
commanding position with regard to the whole west. 

[ 27 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

The campaign of 1756, as planned by the English, com- 
prehended taking the three forts on Lake Ontario ; Niagara, 
Frontenac and Toronto ; with Crown Point on the east and 
Fort Duquesne as the key to the western position. The 
result was that the French not only maintained themselves, 
but gained Oswego, August fourteenth, on the southern 
shore of Ontario, which lent them strength to further pro- 
tect Fort Duquesne. The French, under Montcalm, gained 
Fort William Henry in the summer of 1757. But there 
was still a chance for England, and, through her, for the 
Colonies, when in June, 1757, William Pitt was made Prime 
Minister. The season was too advanced for effective cam- 
paigns during that summer, but there was hope in the year 
to come, for the vitality of the great man quivered to the 
length of every British Colony. Despondency continued 
unbroken over Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia from 
Braddock's defeat, until the coming of General John Forbes 
in the autumn of 1758. 

The history of the whole three years is of border war- 
fare ; Indian raid succeeding Indian raid ; and it is true that 
these were sometimes French and Indian raids. A line of 
forts was constructed on the west side of the Susquehanna. 
Washington endeavored his utmost to protect the three 
hundred miles of Virginia frontier with one company. 
Franklin had been commissioned to defend the frontiers of 
Pennsylvania, but the Assembly bickered with the Gov- 
ernor about expenditure and did nothing to defend the out- 
lying settlers. The only effective action taken, during the 
period, was by Colonel John Armstrong, who crossed the 
Alleghenies in September, 1756, raided and razed the Dela- 
ware Indian village of Kittanning, whose chief was the 
redoubtable Captain Jacobs. 

Pitt's plan for the campaign of 1758 embraced the same 
idea as those planned for the three preceding years. The 
result was that Louisburg was taken by Amherst and 
Boscawen on the twenty-sixth of July. Lord Howe was 
killed near Ticonderoga, July sixth ; and Abercrombie was 
absolutely repulsed by Montcalm on the eighth. Fort 
Frontenac surrendered to Bradstreet on the twenty-seventh 
of August. 

[ 28 ] 



FRONTIER TIMES 

Pitt appointed Forbes, a man of enduring energy and 
vital patience, to take Fort Duquesne. Forbes went to 
Philadelphia in the April of 1758, where he set about to 
raise his army, and Franklin to provide for its subsistence. 
This seemed next to impossible, owing to the stolidness of 
the Quakers. Delay after delay made it the last of June 
before his force, amounting to about seven thousand men, 
left Philadelphia. Among Forbes' officers were Washing- 
ton, Bouquet, Armstrong and Grant. There was strong 
feeling as to the route ; Washington was very anxious that 
they should move over Braddock's road, as it was already 
made, but Forbes decided to take the way through Carlisle, 
Bedford and the Pennsylvania passes, which was more 
direct, but which had to be opened. The selection of the 
route was due in all probability to the efforts of the 
Pennsylvanians who, jealous of Virginia, were determined 
to avail themselves of this opportunity to open a way and 
a road for their traders and influence. 

Forbes ' force ' ' consisted of twelve hundred Highlanders, 
three hundred and fifty Royal Americans, twenty-seven 
hundred Provincials from Pennsylvania, one hundred from 
Delaware (then called the Lower Counties), sixteen hun- 
dred from Virginia, two hundred and fifty from Maryland, 
one hundred and fifty from North Carolina, and about one 
thousand Wagoners and Laborers." The march was 
extremely slow; Armstrong ahead, cutting and hewing a 
way. The month of August found Forbes in Carlisle so 
ill that to remain with his army necessitated his being car- 
ried. Bouquet was given the advance, and pushed on over 
Laurel Hill to its western base on the Loyalhanna, The 
fortified camp there was called Fort Ligonier, in honor of 
Sir John Ligonier who was in command of the British land 
forces in 1757. It had been Forbes' plan, throughout the 
whole march, to encamp and fortify, bring up the ammuni- 
tion, stores and baggage, and then again to move forward. 

Before General Forbes was able to reach Fort Ligonier, 
Bouquet had allowed Major Grant with Major Andrew 
Lewis to go on with about eight hundred men to reconnoitre 
Fort Duquesne. Grant made the attempt and wittingly 
or unwittingly brought about a most disastrous engage- 

[ 29 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

ment with the French. Under cover of night on the four- 
teenth of September, Grant and his men were on what is 
now known as Grant's Hill, without the cognizance of the 
French. Grant sent Lewis forward to burn the Indian 
village about the French Fort, with the understanding that, 
when Grant beat the reveille, Lewis was to fall back, thus 
drawing on the French and Indians, who would then be at 
the mercy of Grant. Just before dawn, Lewis and his men 
stumbled back, claiming to have been unable to make their 
way through the rough country. Grant had so disposed 
his forces that their mutual support was impossible; the 
astonishing reveille was heard by the French and Indians, 
who came out and drove the English like beaten sheep 
before them. Two hundred and seventy of Grant's men 
were killed, forty-two wounded, and some made prisoners ; 
the remainder returned to Bouquet, on the Loyalhanna, as 
best they could. Grant, himself, was taken prisoner, and 
later wrote a letter of explanation to General Forbes, in 
which he said: '^ I am willing to flatter myself that my 
being a prisoner will be no detriment to my promotion, in 
case a vacancy should happen in the Army, and it is to be 
hoped that proper steps will be taken to get me exchanged as 
soon as possible." Lewis insulted and challenged Grant for 
the manner in which he had been represented, and this same 
astute Grant said in the British Parliament, in 1775, that 
he knew the Americans well and " that they would never 
dare face an English army, being destitute of every 
requisite for good soldiers." The effect of Grant's ex- 
pedition was exceedingly bad. During the first part of 
October, the French and Indians attacked Fort Ligonier, 
but were driven off after having killed a large number of 
horses and cattle. 

Early in November Forbes was carried into the advance 
camp and a council was held. It was feared that it was 
too late in the season to attack the French fort that now 
lay but fifty miles beyond them, and for which they had 
striven with such persistent energy, under the direction of 
the quiet man, whose fortitude and endurance seemed to 
have been spent in vain. A day or two later, however, 
some prisoners reported the defenseless condition of Fort 

[ 30 ] 



FRONTIER TIMES 

Duquesne, which the commandant, M. Dumas, had reported 
to his superior a year or two earlier as being so worthless 
* ' that the spring freshet all but carried it off. ' ' 

The way having been opened within a day's march of 
the Fort by Washington and Armstrong, on the eighteenth 
of November, 1758, Forbes, carried by his men, started 
over the last stretch between the English and the French 
dominions in the West. Late in the afternoon of the 
twenty-fourth of November they came in sight of the ruins 
of Fort Duquesne, covered with lingering smoke and fog, 
lying close in the crotch of the yellow '' Y " formed by the 
three rivers. Forbes took immediate possession of the 
point of land which had cost England and France so much 
blood. 

The French had evacuated the fort the night before, 
blowing up their magazines, ruining and destroying all 
their haste would allow; so Forbes came to the ruins of 
Fort Duquesne, finally, without the loss of a life, and re- 
named it '' Fort Pitt," in honor of William Pitt, Prime 
Minister of England, the man who was driving the French 
from North America. 

Believing that contemporary evidence should be used 
wherever practicable, several letters are here given, which 
were written immediately after the capture of Fort 
Duquesne by General Forbes, and which give some in- 
formation as to the fort and its destruction by the French. 
The first three letters appeared in the Rhode Island Mer- 
cury of December, 1758 ; the first is dated ' ' Fort Duquesne, 
November twenty-sixth, 1758," and was written by Cap- 
tain John Haslet to Reverend Doctor Allison; the others 
are unsigned. 

'' I have now the pleasure to write to you from the ruins 
of the Fort. On the twenty-fourth, at night, we were 
informed by one of our Indian scouts that he had dis- 
covered a cloud of smoke above the place, and soon after 
another came in with certain intelligence that it was burnt 
and abandoned by the enemy. We were then about fifteen 
miles from it. A troop of horse was sent forward im- 
mediately to extinguish the burning; the whole army fol- 

[ 31 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

lowed. We arrived sd six o 'clock last night, and found it 
in a great measure destroyed. 

" There are two forts about twenty yards distant, one 
built with immense labor; small, but a great deal of very 
strong works collected into little room, and stands on the 
point of a narrow neck of land, at the confluence of the two 
rivers; it is square, and has two ravelins, gabions at each 
corner, etc. The other fort stands on the bank of the 
Allegheny in the form of a parallelogram but nothing so 
strong as the other ; several of the outworks are late began 
and still unfinished. There are, I think, thirty stacks and 
chimneys standing, but the houses are all destroyed. They 
sprung a mine which ruined one of their magazines ; in the 
other we found sixteen barrels of ammunition, a prodigious 
quantity of old carriage iron, barrels of guns, about a 
cartload of scalping knives, etc. 

'^ They went off in so much haste that they could not 
quite make the havoc of the works they intended. We are 
told by the Indians, that they lay the night before last at 
Beaver Creek, about forty miles down the Ohio from here. 
Whether they buried their cannon in the river, or carried 
them down in their battoes, we have not yet learnt. A boy, 
twelve years old, who has been their prisoner about two 
years, and made his escape on the 2d inst., tells us they 
carried a prodigious quantity of wood into the fort; that 
they had burnt five of the prisoners they took at Major 
Grant's defeat, on the parade, and delivered others to the 
Indians, who were tomahawked on the spot. We found 
numbers of bodies within a quarter of a mile of the fort, 
unburied, so many monuments of French humanity. A 
great many Indians, mostly Delawares, were gathered 
together on the island last night and this morning, to treat 
with the General, and we are making rafts to bring them 
over. Whether the General will think of repairing the 
ruins, or leaving any of the troops here, I have not yet 
learnt. Mr. Batie is appointed to preach a Thanksgiving 
sermon for the superiority of His Majesty's Arms. We 
left all our tents at Loyalhanning, and every convenience 
except a blanket and a knapsack. ' ' 

[ 32 ] 



FRONTIER TIMES 

"^ Fort Duquesne, November thirtieth, 1758. 
''After much fatigue and labor we have at last bro't the 
artillery to this place and found the French had left us 
nothing to do, having on the twenty-fourth instant blown 
up their magazine, their Indians had, either through fear, 
or to atone for their many barbarities, deserted them ; and 
as they depended on them to attack us in the woods (the 
only chance they had of beating us), the French judged 
rightly in abandoning the fort, the front of whose polygon 
is only one hundred fifty feet, and which our shells would 
have destroyed in three days. We have fired some howitzer 
shells into the face of the work, which is made of nine inch 
plank, and rammed between with earth; and found that in 
firing but a few hours we must have destroyed the entire 
face." The Mercury adds: ''All this, confinns the ac- 
count we received two weeks past, that the fort surrendered 
without resistance." 

Another letter mentioned that " only about twenty-five 
hundred picked men marched from the Loyalhanning ; that 
the garrison consisted of about four hundred men, part of 
which had gone down the Ohio, one hundred by land, sup- 
posed to Presque Isle, and two hundred with the Governor, 
JMonsieur Delignier, to Venango, and to stay there till the 
spring, and then return, and dispossess our people. That 
two hundred of our people are to be left at Fort Duquesne, 
now Pittsburgh, to keep possession of the ground, one 
hundred of the oldest Virginians, the other of our oldest 
Pennsylvanians ; that the new raised levies are all dis- 
charged; and that at the last affair at Loyalhanning the 
French lost nine Indians in the field, and carried off four 
mortally wounded; this an Indian now in camp informs, 
who was in the engagement." 

Washington, after the capture of Fort Duquesne, wrote 
to Governor Farquier as follows: 

" Camp at Fort Duquesne, 

^'Twenty-eighth November, 1758. 
' ' Sir. — I have the pleasure to inform you, that Fort 
Duquesne, or the ground rather on which it stood, was 
3 [ 33 ] 



THE HISTOKY OF PITTSBURGH 

possessed by Ms Majesty's troops on tlie 25th inst. The 
enemy, after letting us get within a day's march of the 
place, burned the fort, and ran away by the light of it, at 
night, going down the Ohio by water, to the number of 
about five hundred men, according to our best information. 
This possession of the fort has been a matter of surprise 
to the whole army, and we cannot attribute it to more 
probable causes, than the weakness of the enemy, want of 
provisions, and the defection of their Indians. Of these 
circumstances we were luckily informed by three prisoners 
who providentially fell into our hands at Loyal Hanna, 
when we despaired of proceeding further. A council of 
war had determined that it was not advisable to advance 
this season beyond that place; but the above information 
caused us to march on without tents or baggage, and with 
only a light train of artillery. We have thus happily suc- 
ceeded. It would be tedious, and I think unnecessary, to 
relate every trivial circumstance, that has happened since 
my last. To do this, if needful, shall be the employment 
of a leisure hour, when I shall have the pleasure to pay 
my respects to your Honor. 

*' The General intends to wait here a few days to settle 
iOiatters with the Indians, and then all the troops, except a 
sufficient garrison to secure the place, will march to their 
respective governments. I give your Honor this early 
notice that your directions relative to the troops of Vir- 
ginia may meet me on the road. I cannot help reminding 
you, in this place, of the hardships they have undergone, 
and of their present naked condition, that you may judge 
if it is not essential for them to have some little recess 
from fatigue, and time to provide themselves with neces- 
saries. At present they are destitute of every comfort of 
life. If I do not get your orders to the contrary, I shall 
march the troops under my command directly to Win- 
chester. They may then be disposed of as you shall after- 
wards direct. 

'' General Forbes desires me to inform you, that he is 
prevented, by a multiplicity of affairs, from writing to you 
so fully now, as he would otherwise have done. He has 
written to the commanding officers stationed on the com- 

[ 34 ] 



FRONTIER TIMES 

munication from hence to Wincliester, relative to the con- 
duct of the Little Carpenter, a chief of the Cherokees, the 
purport of which was to desire, that they would escort him 
from one place to another, to prevent his doing any mis- 
chief to the inhabitants, 

'' This fortunate, and, indeed, unexpected success of our 
arms will be attended with happy effects. The Delawares 
are suing for peace, and I doubt not that other tribes on 
the Ohio will follow their example. A trade, free, open, 
and on equitable terms, is what they seem much to desire, 
and I do not know so effectual a way of riveting them to 
our interest, as by sending out goods immediately to this 
place for that purpose. It will, at the same time, be a 
means of supplying the garrison with such necessaries as 
may be wanted ; and, I think, the other colonies, which are 
as greatly interested in the support of this place as Vir- 
ginia, should neglect no means in their power to establish 
and maintain a strong garrison here. Our business, with- 
out this precaution, will be but half finished; while on the 
other hand, we shall obtain a firm and lasting peace with 
the Indians, if this end is once accomplished. 

" General Forbes is very assiduous in getting these mat- 
ters settled upon a solid basis, and has great merit for the 
happy issue to which he has brought our affairs, infirm and 
;vorn down as he is. At present I have nothing further to 
add, but the strongest assurances of my being 

'' Your Honor's most obedient and most humble servant, 

^' GEORGE WASHINGTON." 

General Forbes returned to Philadelphia where he died 
a few weeks later. Colonel Hugh Mercer, with about two 
hundred men, was left at the forks of the Ohio. His 
position was difficult. Winter was on, shelter from weather 
as well as for defense must be made by men on short rations 
and insufficiently clothed, and with the fear of the Indians 
always upon them. Under this stress the first Fort Pitt 
was completed some time in January, 1759. In a letter, 
written during that month. Colonel Mercer said, the Fort 
is " capable of some defense though huddled up in a very 
hasty manner; the weather being extremely severe." It 
i\^as, in fact, a mere stockade. 

[ 35 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

The French had declared that they would return in the 
spring, but they did not, and the French and English cam- 
paign in the summer of 1760 differed radically from those 
of the preceding years. To Wolfe is due the final and 
entire overthrow of the French in northern North America. 
While the aspect of affairs at Fort Pitt changed when 
relieved from fear of conflict with the French, the situation 
was by no means without its complexities. The Indians 
claimed their original right to the land, and Virginia 
asserted her title, according to her first charter from 
James I. in 1609. The English made many concessions to 
the Indians, in view of winning their allegiance. An- 
nouncing they had not come to take their land from them 
as the French had, but had come to trade with them and 
to be of much benefit to them. 

Many were the councils held with the Indians to promote 
good feeling. Colonel Bouquet presided over a conference, 
December fourth, 1758, with the Delawares, to assure them 
of the love of the English King. Colonel Hugh Mercer 
held two conferences with them ; one in January, 1759, with 
the chiefs of the Six Nations, Delawares and Shawanese, 
and one in the following July, at which George Croghan 
represented Sir William Johnson, the English Indian Com- 
missioner. English and Colonial traders gathered rapidly 
around the fort and did a brisk business. 

General John Stanwix was appointed to succeed General 
Forbes as Commander of his Majesty's troops in the 
Southern Department, and showing the importance of Fort 
Pitt, from a military point of view. General Stanwix came 
to Pittsburgh in the latter part of August, 1759, with a 
force of workmen to erect the formidable fortification which 
was to take the place of the light work thrown up by Colonel 
Mercer. The work actually began on the third of Septem- 
ber, under the personal supervision of General Stanwix, and 
went rapidly forward, so that by the following spring it 
was capable of occupation, though it was not entirely com- 
pleted until the summer of 1761. The fort was five-sided, 
irregular. The two facing east and north were guarded 
by a revetment (a brick work nearly perpendicular) ; the 
other three by a line of pickets. The whole work was sur- 

[ 36 ] 




PLAN OF FOKT PITT; BUILT BY GENL. STANWIX, 1759-60. 

o, Barracks, already built. /;, ( A)iumaiidaiir» Hoiise, not built, e, StDre House. d,d,Povr 
der Magazines, c, Casemate, ooiu])letcd. .;', .Slorc House for Flour, Ac. ff, Wells, in two of which 
are pumps. A, Fort Duquesiie. /, /, Horn Work, to cover French Barracks. /.-, Fh-st Fott Pitt, 
destroyed, h, Sally Port. 



FRONTIER TIMES 

rounded by a ditch, which, when the rivers were at moderate 
height, was full of water, and, when the two rivers were low 
and the ditch dry, it was used by the officers as a ball alley. 
The fort occupied the land from the point of confluence 
of the rivers as far east as Third street, West street, and 
part of Liberty street. Rutzer, an engineer, made a draft 
of the fort which is in the British Museum. From this 
has been obtained the only reliable idea of Fort Pitt, of 
which not the slightest remnant remains. Bouquet's re- 
doubt was built in 1764. The fort is said to have cost 
£60,000 sterling; this, however, seems a high estimate, 
though there is no reliable evidence refuting it. It was 
capable of accommodating one thousand men. 

Conferences with the Indians continued to be a common 
occurrence. The great chiefs and their many followers 
made appreciable inroads on the provisions of the garrison, 
often leaving the officers more than seriously incon- 
venienced. The most notable Indian meeting, during Gen- 
eral Stanwix's sojourn at Fort Pitt, was held on the twenty- 
fifth of October, 1759, at which were present Guyasuta, The 
Beaver, King of the Delawares, Shingas, the Pipe, Gus- 
talogo and Kilbuck. Beside General Stanwix and the offi- 
cers of the garrison, were present George Croghan, Sir 
William Johnson's representative, and his assistants, Wil- 
liam Trent and Thomas McKee, with Henry Montour acting 
as interpreter. The Indians declared their unalterable 
friendship and the English assured the Indians of their 
everlasting protection. But, despite these protestations, 
and the fact that there was but little ravaging at this time, 
there was no feeling of confidence. 

General Stanwix, in a letter to Governor Hamilton, dated 
Fort Pitt, March seventeenth, 1760, said: * * * '^As 
soon as the waters are down, I propose to leave this post 
for Philadelphia, which I can now do with great satis- 
faction, having finished the works all round in a very 
defensible manner, leave the garrison in good health, in 
excellent barracks, and seven months wholesome, good 
provisions from the 1st of April next ; the rest of the works 
may now be finished under cover, and the men be obliged 
only to work in proper weather, which has been very far 

[ 37 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

from our case this hard winter and dirty spring, so far as 
it is advanced; but we have carried the works as far into 
execution as I could possibly propose to myself in the time, 
and don't doubt but it will be finished as soon as such work 
can be done, so as to give a strong security to all the 
Southern Provinces and answer every end proposed for 
his Majesty's service." 

The General left the fort and seven hundred men in 
charge of Major Tulikens. General Monckton, Command- 
ant of the entire Western Department, is reported to have 
been at Fort Pitt on the twenty-ninth of June, 1760, and to 
have remained a short time. 

Colonel Burd arrived in Pittsburgh on the sixth of July 
of the same year to relieve Major Tulikens, and remained 
in charge until the following November, when Colonel 
Vaughan commanded during the winter of 1760 and 1761. 
The Colonial Records indicate that, during the year 1762, 
the Indians continued to declare their desire to cultivate the 
friendship of the English, and the King of the Delawares, 
with other Indians, promised to give up all white prisoners 
to Colonel Burd and Josiah Davenport at Fort Pitt. 
Colonel Burd was most probably commandant at Fort Pitt 
during the latter part of the year 1762 and the early part 
of 1763, when Pontiac was planning, with civilized precision, 
the extermination of his English brothers, but the blow fell 
during the command of Captain Simeon Ecuyer, a Swiss, 
as was Bouquet, to whose foresight and astuteness the 
English owed the preservation of this important point. 

The record of Fort Pitt during the spring and summer of 
1763 is preserved, in the letters of Ecuyer to Colonel Henry 
Bouquet, in the British Museum. In a letter, dated the 
eleventh of March, he reported that on the eighth there were 
" six inches of water in the Fort and the Allegheny full of 
ice." In a letter of the ninth of April he said: *' It 
appears by the return of Mr. McKee that the Shawanese 
are no longer so well disposed as they were last Autumn." 

In another letter to Bouquet, dated May twenty-ninth, 
from the Fort, he said : 

' * SiE. — A large party of Mingoes arrived here at the 
beginning of the month and have delivered to us ten 

[ 38 ] 



FRONTIER TIMES 

miserable horses. They demand presents from me, but I 
have refused all their demands excepting eight bushels of 
Indian corn, which they have planted opposite Croghan's 
house, where they have formed a town. Before yesterday 
evening Mr. McKee reported to me that the Mingoes and 
Delawares were in motion, and that they sold in haste 
£300 worth of skins, with which they have bought as much 
powder and lead as they could. Yesterday I sent him to 
their villages to get information, but found them all 
abandoned. He followed their traces, and he is certain 
they have descended the river; that makes me think they 
wish to intercept our boats and prevent our passage. They 
have stolen three horses and a cask of rum at Bushy Run ; 
they at the same time stole £50 from one called Coleman 
(on the road to Bedford) with the gun at his breast. They 
say the famous Wolfe and Butler were the chiefs, and it 
is clear that they wish to break with us. I pity the poor 
people on the communication. I am at work to put the 
Fort in the best possible condition with the few people we 
have. Mr. Hutchins arrived here yesterday with six 
recruits. We have twenty boats in the water ; I would like 
to know the number you wish, and what the carpenters 
must do. As I was finishing my letter three men arrived 
from Clapham's with the bad news that yesterday at three 
o'clock p. M. the Indians had killed Clapham, and all that 
were in the house were robbed and massacred. These three 
men were at work and escaped through the woods. I sent 
them immediately with arms to warn our men at Bushy 
Run. The Indians told Byerly to quit the place or they 
would all be killed in four days. I tremble for our small 
posts. As for this one, I will answer for it. 

'' If any person should come here, they must take an 
escort, for the affair is serious. 

'' I have the honor to be, very respectfully, sir, 
* ' Your very humble and obedient servant, 

" S. ECUYER.'' 
(Colonel Bouquet.) 

Ecuyer demolished the " lower town " (the settlement 
immediately about the fort) and took the wood for use in 

[ 39 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBURGH 

the fort, but he burnt the '' high town " (the settlement 
farther up the hill) to prevent the Indians from using it 
for cover. On the thirtieth of May, 1763, the inhabitants, 
numbering about three hundred, were taken into Fort Pitt. 
The garrison had consisted of about two hundred and fifty 
men, but there were now three hundred and thirty men, one 
hundred and four women, and one hundred and six children 
to be sheltered and provided for. 

The fort was made as formidable as possible; Ecuyer 
stated he had ' ' sixteen pieces mounted on good platform, ' ' 
and '' a sufficiently good retrenchment to join a f raise, 
which is not set out over all, so is not altogether as regular 
as it should be, but without engineers and being much 
hurried this should pass, and I think it is good enough 
against this rabble so that I begin to breathe. We have 
worked during eleven days in an incredible manner, our 
men are much fatigued, but I do not complain. In the 
future they will have rest. I have divided my little garri- 
son into two divisions, each one with three officers, five 
sergeants, one drum and from sixty to seventy men. We 
are all doubly armed." 

The Indian attack actually began on the afternoon of the 
twenty-eighth of July. The Indians swarmed around the 
fort, burrowed into the ground like moles, and from these 
small individual defenses, with the utmost precision, shot 
any one who dared appear. Ecuyer covered his men well. 
The attack lasted five days and five nights ; seven soldiers 
were wounded, Ecuyer himself was struck in the leg by an 
arrow, but wrote '^ we are certain of having killed and 
wounded twenty of their men, without counting those whom 
we have not seen." Word must have come to the Indians 
of Bouquet's expendition, for at this time they left Fort 
Pitt, moving to the east. 

Bouquet was in Philadelphia when he was ordered by 
Sir Jeffrey Amherst to relieve Fort Pitt. He was given 
** the shattered remainder of the 42nd and 77th regiments, 
about five hundred men, lately returned in a dismal con- 
dition from the West Indies, and far from being recovered 
from their fatigue at the siege of Havana." Sixty of 
these men were so ill and weak they had to be carried over 
the mountains in wagons. 

[ 40 ] 



FRONTIER TIMES 

The country through which Bouquet marched instead 
of yielding provisions for the beleaguered fort as well as 
for his army, had either been devastated by the savages 
or the fields had been left unharvested by the settlers who 
had sought refuge in the eastern towns. Bouquet left 
Fort Bedford on the twenty-eighth of July and reached 
Fort Ligonier safely. To expedite matters, he left his 
wagons and all that was not absolutely necessary at this 
post, and the army, thus lightened, continued the route to 
the west. 

On the afternoon of the fifth of August, when the army 
was half a mile east of the dangerous defile of Turtle 
Creek, they were attacked with great vigor by the Indians. 
This particular pass Bouquet had determined to move 
through under the cover of night, owing to the great natural 
advantages it possessed for an assailing party. The 
precipitate attack of the Indians, however, proved very 
clearly the ability of Bouquet and the temper of his men. 
The savages attacked with violence, but fell back before 
any aggressive movement only to return with renewed 
violence as soon as the assault ceased. In this way the 
troops were like to be harried to destruction ; that they were 
not was due to a well planned and well executed manoeuvre 
which Bouquet describes in the following letters to Sir 
Jeffrey Amherst, Commander-in-Chief: 

* ' Camp at Edgehill, twenty-six miles from Fort Pitt, 

''Fifth of August, 1763. 

^' Sir. — The second instant, the troops and convoy 
arrived at Ligonier, whence I could obtain no intelligence 
of the enemy; the expresses sent since the beginning of 
July have been either killed or obliged to return, all the 
passes being occupied by the enemy; in this uncertainty I 
determined to leave all the wagons with the powder, and 
a quantity of stores and provisions at Ligonier; and on 
the fourth proceeded with the troops and about three hun- 
dred and fifty horses loaded with flour. I intended to have 
halted a day at Bushy Run (a mile beyond this camp) and 
after having refreshed the men and horses to have marched 

[ 41 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBURGH 

in the night over Turtle creek, a very dangerous defile of 
several miles, commanded by high and craggy hills; but 
at one o'clock this afternoon after a march of seventeen 
miles, the savages suddenly attacked our advanced guard 
which was immediately supported by the two Light In- 
fantry Companies of the Forty-second regiment who drove 
the enemy from their ambuscade and pursued them a good 
way. The savages returned to the attack and the fire 
being obstinate on our front and extending along our 
flanks we made a general charge with the whole line to 
dislodge the savages from the heights in which attempt we 
succeeded without obtaining from it any decisive advan- 
tage; for as soon as they were driven from one post they 
appeared on another, till by continued reinforcements they 
were at last able to surround us and attack the convoy left 
in our rear; this obliged us to march back to protect it; 
the action then became general and though we were 
attacked on every side and the savages exerted themselves 
with uncommon resolution, they were constantly repulsed 
with loss — we also suffered considerably ; Lieutenant 
Graham and Lieutenant James Mcintosh of the Forty- 
second are killed and Captain Graham wounded. Of the 
Royal American Regiment Lieutenant Dow who acted as 
A. D. Q. M. G. is shot through the body. Of the Seventy- 
seventh Lieutenant Donald Campbell and Mr. Peebles, a 
volunteer, are wounded. Our loss in men including 
rangers and drivers exceeds sixty killed and wounded. 
The action has lasted from one o'clock till night and we 
expect to begin again at daybreak. Whatever our fate 
may be I thought it necessary to give your excellency this 
information that you may at all events, take such measures 
as you will think proper with the Provinces, for their own 
safety and the eifectual relief of Fort Pitt, as, in case 
another engagement, I fear insurmountable difficulties in 
protecting and transporting our provisions, being already 
so much weakened by the losses of this day in men and 
horses; besides the additional necessity of carrying the 
wounded whose situation is truly deplorable. 

*' I cannot sufficiently acknowledge the constant assist- 
ance I have received from Major Campbell during this long 

[ 42 ] 



FRONTIER TIMES 

action nor express my admiration of the cool and steady 
behaviour of the troops who did not fire a shot without 
orders and drove the enemy from their posts with fixed 
bayonets — the conduct of the officers is much above my 
praises. 

' ' I have the honor to be with great respect Sir, etc., 

''HENRY BOUQUET. 
" To Sir Jeffrey Amherst." 



' * Camp at Bushy Run, Sixth of August, 1763. 

' ' Sir. — I had the honor to inform Your Excellency in 
my letter of yesterday of our first engagement with the 
savages. 

" We took post last night on the hill, where our convoy 
halted, when the front was attacked, (a commodious piece 
of ground, and just spacious enough for our purpose.) 
There we encircled the whole, and covered our wounded 
with flour bags. In the morning the savages surrounded 
our camp, at the distance of about five hundred yards, and 
by shouting and yelping, quite round that extensive cir- 
cumference, thought to have terrified us, with their num- 
bers. They attacked us early, and under favor of an in- 
cessant fire, made bold efforts to penetrate our camp; and 
though they failed in the attempt, our situation was not less 
perplexing, having experienced that brisk attacks had but 
little effect upon an enemy who always gave way when 
pressed, and appeared again immediately ; our troops were 
besides extremely fatigued with the long march, and the 
long action of the preceding day, and distressed to the last 
degree by a total want of water, much more intolerable 
than the enemy's fire. 

" Tied to our convoy we could not lose sight of it, with- 
out exposing it and our wounded to fall a prey to the 
savages, who pressed upon us at every side; and to move 
was impracticable, having lost many horses and most of 
the drivers, who, stupified by fear, hid themselves in the 
bushes or were incapable of hearing or obeying orders. 

'' The savages, growing every moment more audacious, 
it was thought proper still to increase their confidence ; by 

[ 43 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

that means if possible to entice them to come close upon 
us, or to stand their ground when attacked. With this 
view two companies of light Infantry were ordered within 
the circle, and the troops on their right and left opened 
their files, and filled up the space that it might seem they 
were intended to cover the retreat ; the third light Infantry 
Company and the Grenadiers of the Forty-second were 
ordered to support the two first companies. This 
manoeuvre succeeded to our wish, for the few troops who 
took possession of the ground lately occupied by the two 
light infantry companies being brought in nearer to the 
center of the circle, the barbarians mistaking these motions 
for a retreat, hurried headlong on, and advancing upon us 
with the most daring intrepidity, galled us excessively with 
their heavy fire; but at the very moment that, certain of 
success, they thought themselves master of the camp, 
Major Campbell at the head of the two first companies, 
sallied out from a part of the hill they could not observe, 
and fell upon their right flank ; they resolutely returned the 
fire biit could not stand the irresistible shock of our men, 
who, rushing in among them, killed many of them and put 
the rest to flight. The orders sent the other two companies 
were delivered so timely by Captain Basset and executed 
with such celerity and spirit, that the routed savages, who 
happened to run that moment before their front, received 
their full fire when uncovered by the trees; the four com- 
panies did not give them time to load a second time, nor 
even to look behind them, but pursued them until they were 
totally dispersed. The left of the savages, which had not 
been attacked, was kept in awe by the remains of our 
troops posted on the brow of the hill for that purpose ; nor 
durst they attempt to support or assist their right, but 
being witness of their defeat, followed their example and 
fled. Our brave men disdained so much to touch the dead 
body of a vanquished enemy that scarce a scalp was taken, 
except by the rangers and pack horse drivers. 

' ' The woods now being cleared and the pursuit over, the 
four companies took possession of a hill in our front; as 
soon as litters could be made for the wounded, and the 
flour and everything destroyed, which for want of horses 

[ 44 ] 



FEONTIER TIMES 

could not be carried, we marched without molestation to 
this camp. After the severe correction we had given the 
savages a few hours before, it was natural to suppose we 
should enjoy some rest; but we had hardly fixed our camp 
when they fired upon us again; this was very provoking. 
However, the light Infantry dispersed them before they 
could receive orders for that purpose. 

*' I hope we shall be no more disturbed, for if we have 
another action we shall hardly be able to carry our 
wounded. 

' ' The behavior of the troops on this occasion, speaks for 
itself so strongly, that for me to attempt their eulogium 
would but detract from their merit. 

" I have the honor to be most respectfully. Sir &c, 

'' HENRY BOUQUET. 
'* To His Excellency Sir Jeffrey Amherst." 

This battle at Bushy Run, gained by Colonel Bouquet 
over the Delawares, Shawanese, Mingoes, Wyandots, 
Mohikons, Miamies and Ottawas, on the fifth and sixth of 
August, 1763, was of vital importance, inasmuch as it 
broke fatally the design of Pontiac. Bouquet marched 
over the twenty-five remaining miles to Fort Pitt, en- 
countering but a few random shots. 

The relief of Fort Pitt closed the campaign. 

The following is an entry made in Ecuyer's orderly 
book: 

*' Fort Pitt, August 11, 1763, G. 0. parole. 

" Countersign. Garrison orders: 

'' The guard to be relieved at 10 o'clock. For guard. 
Ensign Price, 2 sergeants, 1 drummer and 36 rank and file. 

'* Colonel Bouquet orders his thanks to be given to the 
officers, soldiers and inhabitants who have so bravely de- 
fended the post against the repeated attacks of barbarians 
and malicious enemies. Captain Ecuyer by his firm and 
prudent conduct has obtained the General's entire appro- 
bation and it is with the greatest satisfaction that the 
Colonel informs him of it. The Colonel takes a particular 

[ 45 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

pleasure in expressing to Major Trent how agreeable his 
services and those performed by the brave militia under 
his command are to him and returns him his sincere thanks 
for the ready assistance he has constantly given the com- 
manding officer, desiring he will inform his officers and 
men of the grateful sense the Colonel has of their behavior. 
Nothing can be more agreeable to the Colonel than to have 
to represent to the General the merit of the officers and 
men who have contributed to the preservation of this im- 
portant post, which particularly curbs the insolence and 
pride of the faithless savages and continues an immovable 
barrier against the impotence of their rage and perfidy. 

''All the double arms employed in defense of this post 
to be drawn and delivered with the ammunition to the offi- 
cer of the artillery who will have them put in order. All 
the women and children and useless people to hold them- 
selves in readiness to-morrow night to go to the settlement. 
A party will be ready to reap to-morrow morning, who will 
be covered by a company of light infantry. 

^' The effects of a deceased officer of the Forty-second 
Regiment are to be sold at vendue to-morrow morning in 
camp at 10 o'clock. 

'' For guard to-morrow. Lieutenant Donelon, 1 sergeant, 
2 corporals, 1 drummer, 36 privates." 

Bouquet distributed his men among the posts along the 
eastern communications. The winter that followed was 
quiet, but in the spring the savages again commenced their 
raids and devastations. To stamp out this Indian war 
General Gage sent Colonel Bradstreet through the Lake 
District to Detroit; while Bouquet was ordered down the 
Ohio to penetrate into the country of the Shawanese and 
Delawares. 

The Pennsylvania Assembly was less dull than on former 
occasions to the condition of the frontier (due perhaps to 
the uneasiness the " Paxton Boys " had caused in their 
very midst), and voted three hundred men to guard the 
frontier, and ordered that one thousand men accompany 
Bouquet to the west. 

Despite all Bouquet's endeavors it was the fifth of 

[ 46 ] 



FRONTIER TIMES 

August before he finally completed his arrangements and 
left Carlisle. He had about five hundred '' regulars," 
many of whom had been tested at Bushy Run in the 
previous year, and a thousand Virginia and Pennsylvania 
volunteers; the latter were very raw and many deserted. 
Bouquet and his command arrived at Fort Pitt on the 
seventeenth of September, 1764. 

Colonel Bouquet left Fort Pitt on the second of October 
and proceeded along the Ohio to Beaver creek, then almost 
directly west to the Muskingum river, following its course 
down to White Woman's creek into the very heart of the 
Shawanese and Delaware country, where he camped. This 
formidable army struck the Indians with such terror that 
the march was unmolested. 

Great numbers of the Delawares, Shawanese and Senecas 
congregated with their chiefs, Gustaloga, Guyasuta and 
Turtle Heart, smoking the peace-pipe and abjectly suing 
for pardon. Bouquet, however, angered with Bradstreet's 
laxity and understanding from experience the treacherous 
character of the people with whom he was dealing, pro- 
claimed that he would exterminate them unless they 
brought all their white prisoners in within twelve days. 
There was much speech making; but Bouquet was inexora- 
ble, and, by the ninth of November, two hundred and six 
prisoners were returned. The Shawanese claimed that 
many of their warriors were off hunting, but vowed to 
bring all their whites to Fort Pitt the following spring; 
this contract they kept. His mission being accomplished. 
Bouquet returned to Fort Pitt on the twenty-eighth of 
November, 1764. 

General Gage reported Bouquet's expedition to Lord 
Halifax on the thirteenth of December, as follows: 

" The Perfidy of the Shawanese and Delawares, and 
they having broken the ties which even the Savage Nations 
hold sacred amongst each other, required vigorous meas- 
ures to reduce them. We had experienced their treachery 
so often, that I determined to make no peace with them, 
but in the heart of their Country, and upon such terms as 

[ 47 ] 



THE HISTOBY OF PITTSBURGH 

should make it as secure as it was possible. This conduct 
has produced all the good effects which could be wished or 
expected from it. Those Indians have been humbled and 
reduced to accept of Peace upon the terms prescribed to 
them, in such a manner as will give reputation to His 
Majesty's Arms amongst the several Nations. The Regu- 
lar and Provincial Troops under Colonel Bouquet, having 
been joined by a good body of Volunteers from Virginia, 
and others from Maryland and Pennsylvania, marched 
from Fort Pitt the beginning of October and got to Tus- 
caroras about the fifteenth. The March of the Troops into 
their country threw the Savages into the greatest con- 
sternation, as they hoped their woods would protect them 
and had boasted of the Security of their Situation from 
our attacks. The Indians hovered round the Troops during 
their March, but despairing of success in an action had 
recourse to Negotiations. They were told that they might 
have Peace but every Prisoner in their possession must 
first be delivered up. They brought in near twenty and 
promised to deliver the Rest; but as their promises were 
not regarded they engaged to deliver the whole on the first 
of November, at the Forks of the Muskingham (about one 
hundred and fifty miles from Fort Pitt), the centre of the 
Delaware towns and near to the most considerable settle- 
ment of the Shawanese. Colonel Bouquet kept them in 
sight and moved the Camp to that Place. He soon obliged 
the Delawares and some broken tribes of Mohikons, Wian- 
dots and Mingoes to bring in all their prisoners, even to 
the Children born of White women, and to tie those who 
were grown as savage as themselves and unwilling to 
leave them, and bring them bound to the Camp. They were 
told that they must appoint deputies to go to Sir William 
Johnson to receive such terms as should be imposed upon 
them, which the Nations should agree to ratify; and, for 
the security of their performance of this, and that no 
further Hostilities should be committed, a number of their 
Chiefs should remain in our hands. The above Nations 
subscribed to these terms; but the Shawanese were the 
most obstinate and were particularly averse to the giving 
of Hostages. But finding that their obstinacy had no 

[ 48 ] 




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CQ 

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FRONTIER TIMES 

effect and would only tend to their destruction, the Troops 
having penetrated into the Heart of their Country, they 
at length became sensible that there was no safety but in 
Submission and were obliged to stoop to the same condi- 
tion as the other nations. They immediately gave up forty 
prisoners and promised that the Rest should be sent to 
Fort Pitt in the Spring. This last not being admitted, the 
immediate Restitution of all Prisoners being the sine qua 
non of peace, it was agreed that parties should be sent from 
the Army into their towns, to collect the Prisoners and 
conduct them to Fort Pitt. 

'' They delivered six of the principal Chiefs as hostages 
into our Hands and appointed their deputies to go to Sir 
William Johnson, in the same manner as the Rest. The 
number of prisoners already delivered exceeds two hun- 
dred and it was expected that our Parties would bring 
near one hundred more from the Shawanese Towns. These 
conditions seem sufficient proofs of the Sincerity and 
Humiliation of those Nations, and in justice to Colonel 
Bouquet I must testify the Obligations I have to him, and 
that nothing but the firm and steady conduct which he 
observed in all his transactions with those treacherous 
savages would ever have brought to a serious Peace. 

' ' I must flatter myself that the Country is restored to its 
former Tranquillity and that a general, and, it is hoped, 
lasting Peace is concluded with all the Indian Nations who 
have taken up Arms against His Majesty. 

*' I remain, etc., 

'^THOMAS GAGE.»» 

Though Bouquet put an end to the *' Conspiracy of 
Pontiac," the Pennsylvania border could scarcely be 
termed tranquil, despite the fact that General Gage flattered 
himself that it might be so considered; for the frontier was 
disturbed and agitated until freed from dread of the 
Indians by General Anthony Wayne. 

The only existing monument testifying to the English 
dominion in Pittsburgh is the small five-sided brick redoubt 
built by Bouquet, bearing a tablet inscribed '' Coll. Bouquet 
1764." 

4 [ 49 J 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

However, Bouquet had the satisfaction of being appre- 
ciated; the Legislative bodies of Pennsylvania and Vir- 
ginia accorded him thanks. 



*' The Assembly of Pennsylvania. 

'* In Assembly, January Fifteenth, 1765, 

** To the Honorable Henry Bouquet, Esq., Commander-in- 
chief of His Majesty's Forces in the Southern Depart- 
ment of America. 

*' The Address of the Representatives of the Freemen of 

the Province of Pennsylvania, in General 

Assembly met. 

' * Sir. — The representatives of the freemen of the 
province of Pennsylvania, in general assembly met, being 
informed that you intend shortly to embark for England, 
and moved with a due sense of the important services you 
have rendered to his Majesty, his northern colonies in 
general, and to this province in particular, during the late 
wars with the French and barbarous Indians, in the re- 
markable factory over the savage enemy united to oppose 
you, near Bushy Run, in August 1763, when on your march 
for the relief of Pittsburgh, owing, under God, to your 
intrepidity and superior skill in command, together with 
the bravery of your officers and little army ; as also in your 
late march to the country of the savage nations, with the 
troops under your direction; thereby striking terror 
through the numerous Indian tribes around you ; laying the 
foundation for a lasting as well as an honorable peace with 
them; and reducing from savage captivity upwards of two 
hundred of our christian brethren, prisoners among them, 
these eminent services and your constant attention to the 
civil rights of His Majesty's subjects in this province, 
demand. Sir, the grateful tribute of thanks from all good 
men; and therefore we, the representatives of the freemen 
of Pennsylvania, unanimously for ourselves, and in behalf 
of the people of this province, do return you our most 
sincere and hearty thanks for these your great services, 

[ 50 ] 



FRONTIER TIMES 

wishing you a safe and pleasant voyage to England, with 
a kind and gracious reception from his Majesty." 
' ' Signed by Order of the House, 

'' JOSEPH FOX, Speaker." 

General Gage, prior to the formal taking over of the 
Illinois country from the French, sent George Croghan 
west to conciliate the Indians with presents. Croghan set 
out from Fort Pitt on the fifteenth of May, 1765. He was 
eminently successful in his mission, and Captain Sterling 
with the Forty-second Highland Regiment followed him 
during the summer to Fort Chartres. After this the 
Indian trade with the several nations reopened. In the 
latter part of April, 1766, Colonel Croghan distributed 
presents among them amounting to several thousand 
dollars. 

There was little excitement now at Fort Pitt; the 
monotony was varied by occasional Indian conferences 
and warning squatters off the Indian reservations. But 
despite military threats and removals by force, the settling 
on Indian lands continued, even in the face of an Act passed 
February third, 1768, which made the offense punishable 
with death. 

Finding it impossible to control the settlers, who re- 
turned as soon as the soldiers that ejected them were out 
of sight, it was decided to hold a conference with the 
Indians with the view to purchasing this territory. Ac- 
accordingly, a conference was held at Fort Stanwix, New 
York, on the twenty-fourth of October, 1768, at which Sir 
William Johnson presided, and to which New Jersey, 
Pennsylvania and Virginia sent commissioners. The 
chiefs of the Six Nations, Shawanese, and Delawares were 
present. The result was the purchase by Thomas Penn 
and Richard Penn, for ten thousand dollars, of the Indian 
lands lying west from the Susquehanna, embracing the dis- 
puted territory of Pittsburgh and its environs. The 
following spring a land office was opened in Pittsburgh 
and immigration increased rapidly. 

The cause of the trouble having been removed by this 
purchase of the Penns, there appeared to be no necessity 

[ 51 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

for the maintenance of a garrison at Fort Pitt. Accord- 
ingly, General Gage ordered Major Edmonson, commandant 
at that time, to abandon Fort Pitt, October, 1772. The 
fortification was not destroyed, but Major Edmonson 
sold everything that could be disposed of for fifty pounds. 
New York currency. Only a corporal and a few men were 
left in the place. 

During the latter part of 1773, Lord Dunmore, Governor 
of Virginia, ordered John Connolly, as Captain Command- 
ant of Militia, to take possession of Fort Pitt and rename 
it Fort Dunmore. The dispute between Pennsylvania and 
Virginia, regarding their respective right to the territory 
about the Ohio headwaters, began as early as 1752, but 
through the French and Indian War and Pontiao's War, 
had been held in abeyance. John Murray, Lord Dunmore, a 
scheming, avaricious and unscrupulous man and Governor 
of Virginia, was the immediate precipitator of the trouble. 
John Connolly, although by birth a Pennsylvanian, was his 
willing and energetic tool. Upon his arrival at Fort Pitt, 
Connolly issued a pompous proclamation, calling on the 
militia to meet him on the twenty-fifth of January, 1774; 
declaring Pittsburgh to be embraced in Augusta county, 
Virginia. For this high-handed proceeding, Arthur St. 
Clair, a magistrate of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, 
and agent for the Penns, arrested Connolly and committed 
bim to jail in Hannastown, from which, however, he was re- 
leased by entering bail for his appearance at court. 

Pennsylvania, or rather the Penns, claimed the territory 
by a charter from Charles II., dated 1681, which assigned 
the Delaware as the eastern boundary and the * ' said lands 
to extend westward five degrees of longitude to be com- 
puted from the said eastern bounds ; ' ' which line would lie 
five or six miles west of the confluence of the Allegheny and 
Monongahela rivers. They claimed, not only by this charter, 
but particularly by the purchase of the land at the Treaty 
with the Indians, held at Fort Stanwix, New York, 1768, 
when, ^' in consideration of ten thousand dollars, they 
granted to Thomas Penn and Richard Penn all that part of 
the province of Pennsylvania, not heretofore purchased of 
the Indians, within the said general boundary line," that is, 

[ 52 ] 



FRONTIER TIMES 

on the east side of the Allegheny river from Kittanning 
south to the fortieth degree of latitude. Thomas Walker, 
Esquire, was present as Commissioner from Virginia, when 
this purchase was made by the Penns, and interposed no 
objection. 

Virginia claimed under a grant made by James I., in 
1609, to a company of Londoners, which grant had been 
annulled by the desire of the company in 1624 ; and, by the 
endeavors of the Ohio Company to occupy the disputed ter- 
ritory in 1753 and 1754. 

A long and futile correspondence ensued between Gov- 
ernor Penn and Lord Dunmore. In 1774 Dunmore was 
engaged in the Indian war generally known as '' Duu- 
more's War." 

JEneas Mackay wrote to Governor Penn on June four- 
teenth, 1774: " the deplorable state of affairs in this part 
of your government is truly distressing. We are robbed, 
insulted and dragooned by Connolly and his militia, in this 
place and its environs." 

Virginia treated the disputed territory and the adjacent 
country west of the Ohio as part of Augusta county, during 
the years 1774, 1775 and 1776 ; held courts, levied taxes and 
exercised judicial functions generally. 

' ' To form an adequate conception of the condition of the 
inhabitants in this place, at that time, we must take into 
view, not only the oppressive conduct of Connolly, but also 
bear in mind that the War of the Revolution was rapidly 
approaching and that hostilities between the Indians and 
Virginians were actually raging at the time. The Indians, 
it is true, were understood to say they would not touch 
Pennsylvania; but still they must have felt much of the 
embarrassments arising out of the Indian war. So great 
was the anxiety and distress of the adherents of the Pro- 
prietary, that they at one time thought seriously of leaving 
this place, and removing to Kittanning, which lay in an- 
other manor. Another project was to raise a stockade 
around the town of Pittsburgh, being that part of our city 
which lies between Water and Second streets, and Market 
and Ferry streets. Neither project was carried into execu- 
tion and I merely mention them as signs of the times, and as 
evidences of the state of feeling then prevailing here." 

[ 53 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Early in the year 1775 it was evident that the power of 
Dunmore and Connolly was declining. 

But this lesser strife, the boundary controversy, shrank 
out of sight in the great struggle for independence, which 
was beginning. Meetings were held in Pittsburgh and Han- 
nastown on the sixteenth of May, at which " the spirited be- 
havior of their brethern of New England ' ' was ' ' cordially 
approved, ' ' and it was unanimously resolved that it was the 
'' indispensable duty of every American " to resist the 
tyranny of the British Parliament. 

The disturbance attracted much attention, even in the 
Second Continental Congress, from whence a circular was is- 
sued on the twenty-fifth of July, 1775, which read, in part : 
** We recommend it to you that all bodies of armed men, 
kept up by either party be dismissed; and that all those on 
either side, who are in confinement or on bail, for taking 
loart in this contest, be discharged." On the head of this 
the Virginia Provincial Council, on the seventh of the suc- 
ceeding August, ordered Captain John Neville with one 
hundred men to take possession of Fort Pitt. The Penn- 
sylvanians had been inclined to adopt a more conciliatory 
attitude under the influence of the advice of Congress, but 
this move on the part of Virginia aggravated them exceed- 
ingly. Arthur St. Clair wrote to Grovernor Penn : ' ' This 
step has already, as might be expected, served to exasperate 
the dispute between the inhabitants of the country and 
entirely destroyed the prospect of a cessation of our 
grievances, from the salutary and conciliating advice of the 
delegates in their circular letter." 

But Captain John Neville was a Whig and had taken part 
in the meeting of May sixteenth, so while he was there by 
order of Virginia — Virginia was a sister State and held in 
community of interest with Pennsylvania feelings of in- 
dignation and revolt against the oppression of England — 
Fort Pitt was safe, in the keeping of Neville, from the 
scheming and plotting of the arrant Tory, Connolly, who 
had laid some plan of giving it over to the English. 

On the eighteenth of December, 1776, the Virginia Legis- 
lature passed the following resolution: " That the 
meridian line, drawn from the head of the Potomac to the 

[ 54 ] 



FRONTIER TIMES 

northwest angle of Maryland, be extended due north until 
it intersects the latitude of forty degrees, and from thence 
the southern boundary shall be extended on the said forty 
degrees of latitude, until the distance of five degrees of 
longitude from the Delaware shall be accomplished thereon ; 
and from the said point, five degrees, in either or every 
point, according to the meanderings of the Delaware, or 
(which is easier and better for both) from proper points 
or angles on the Delaware, with intermediate straight 
lines." 

John Penn had claimed from the beginning and through- 
out the entire controversy that '^ the western extent of the 
Province of Pennsylvania, by the Royal Grant, is five de- 
grees of longitude from the river Delaware, which is at its 
eastern boundary." The malignity and bitterness of the 
contest were undoubtedly due to Dunmore and Connolly. 

This notice appeared in the Pittsburgh Gazette of Sep- 
tember thirtieth, 1786: 

^' Pennsylvania and Vieginia Boundary. 

" The commissioners appointed to extend and complete 
the line of the western boundary of Pennsylvania by as- 
tronomical observations have completed said line and are 
returned to this town on their way to their respective 
homes. We have the pleasure to inform our readers that 
the line extends near one mile and a half into Lake Erie." 
This was the end, save a proclamation regarding land 
patents. 

The bitter boundary controversy melted before the glare 
of the heat that flamed into light against Great Britain for 
the wrongs she had perpetrated against her own sons, 
whose only intent had been to add the New World to her 
glory. 

At the meeting on the sixteenth of May, 1775, of the in- 
habitants of "Augusta County," as that part of Westmore- 
land county was termed by Virginia, the following men 
were chosen to represent the district: George Croghan, 
John Campbell, Edward Ward, Thomas Smallman, John 
Cannon, John McCullough, William Gee, George Valand- 

[ 55 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

ingham, John Gibson, Dorsey Pentecost, Edward Cook, 
William Crawford, Devereanx Smith, John Anderson, 
David Rodgers, Jacob Vanmetre, Henry Enoch, James 
Ennis, George Wilson, William Vance, David Shepherd, 
William Elliot, Richmond Willis, Samuel Semple, John 
Ormsby, Richard McMaher, John Neville, and John Swear- 
ingen. They endorsed the action of the eastern states, and 
many men went east to join the army, but the dread that lay 
in the hearts of the people of this section was of the Indians 
rather than of the British. 

A conference was held early in July, 1776, with the In- 
dians to cultivate their friendship, whereon Guyasuta guar- 
anteed that his people would allow neither the Americans 
nor the British to march an army through their country. 
But there was never a moment when reliance could be 
placed on the stability of the most solemn promises of the 
savages. The Indians in the Detroit district were the allies 
of the English, and Lieutenant-Governor Henry Hamilton, 
the commandant of that place, offered a bounty for Ameri- 
can scalps. Throughout the autumn of 1776-77 the most 
serious trouble with the Indians was apprehended, but the 
winter passed without notable event. 

The importance of maintaining Fort Pitt had been real- 
ized, since the opening of the Revolution, as a barrier be- 
tween the British at Detroit and the east ; and its position 
as a frontier Indian post. Captain John Neville, with his 
hundred men, held it until June first, 1777, when Brigadier 
General Edward Hand took it over and planned an expedi- 
tion into the Indian country. Both men and supplies were 
difficult to obtain and he was compelled to be satisfied with 
assisting the inhabitants of his immediate district. The 
Indians grew bolder and bolder in their raids and devasta- 
tions. Provisions were so scarce in the January of 1778 
that bacon sold for a dollar a pound and flour for sixteen 
dollars a barrel. 

Fort Pitt was reinforced in the spring of 1778 ; General 
Mcintosh took command and General Hand returned to the 
east. Fort Mcintosh, at the mouth of Beaver creek, was 
erected during the summer. On the eighth of October, 
Fort Mcintosh was made headquarters for the army of the 

[ 56 ] 



FRONTIER TIMES 

Western Department; and from thence one thousand men 
started for Detroit, but the supplies failing when they had 
proceeded only seventy miles, they erected Fort Laurens 
and remained throughout the winter. 

Colonel Daniel Brodhead succeeded General Mcintosh 
in charge of the Western Department, during March, 1779. 
On the eleventh of August, with about six hundred men, he 
undertook an expedition against the Munsies and Senecas 
in the northern part of the state. The raid was eminently 
successful, as no men were lost, and he took about three 
thousand dollars worth of plunder. In October, Brodhead 
informed Washington that he had provisions enough for a 
thousand men for but three months. Owing to the scarcity 
of provisions and the depreciation of the currency, it must 
be remembered that the country was at this time in a most 
deplorable condition, and an effect that was so apparent 
at the centers could not but be even more exaggerated on 
the frontier; consequently the difficulty of subsistence at 
Fort Pitt was a serious matter. Colonel Brodhead, through 
his effort to care for his garrison, and perhaps through a 
tactless way of accomplishing it, brought on himself the 
enmity of the citizens of Pittsburgh, and a disaffection also 
arose in the garrison, in which Captain Gibson took a prom- 
inent part. The trouble assumed such proportions that the 
citizens sent a petition " To His Excellency, the President 
and Supreme Executive Council of the State of Penn- 
sylvania. ' ' 

" The representation and memorial of the inhabitants 
of the town of Pittsburgh, humbly sheweth : 

' ' That we are greatly alarmed with the claim of Colonel 
Brodhead, Commanding Officer at the Garrison of Fort 
Pitt, assuming authority to exercise military power over 
this Town, which he conceives he has a right to do, within 
the round of his Patroles. In many cases he has actually 
exercised this authority taking away the property, con- 
fining the persons of citizens, and ordering them to be tried 
by court martial. * * * " The petition proceeds to re- 
view in detail the grievances of the civilians at the hands 
of the military, emphasizing especially the part of Colonel 
Brodhead. The garrisons of Fort Pitt and Fort Mcintosh 

[ 57 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

were in a state of mutiny; Colonel Brodhead wrote to Gen- 
eral Washington on September sixth, 1781, *' things 
sre in utmost confusion." Whereon, General Washington 
relieved him, and General William Irvine took command 
at Fort Pitt, October, 1781, and, with decision, brought 
order out of the confusion. 

The surrender of Cornwallis was reported at Fort Pitt, 
on the sixth of November, when General Irvine had the 
pleasure to congratulate the " Troops " and ordered, 
" Thirteen pieces of artillery will be fired this day at one 
o'clock, in the Fort, at which time the Troops will be under 
arms, with their colors displayed. The Commissaries will 
issue a gill of liquor extraordinary to the non-commissioned 
officers and privates on this joyful occasion," 

The end of the struggle with Great Britain in no way 
marked a cessation of hostilities with the Indians. General 
Clarke planned the taking of Detroit in 1781, but the usual 
** lack of supplies " defeated it. 

General Irvine repaired Fort Pitt during the summer of 
1782. In October of the next year, his garrison having been 
furloughed, General Irvine retired and Major Joseph Mar- 
bury, with a small detachment, remained in charge of Fort 
Pitt. 

Despite the border raids and ravages, the growth of the 
town of Pittsburgh, in the years succeeding the Revolution, 
was astonishing. And was, in part, due to the fact that the 
government redeemed its depreciated gold and silver cer- 
tificates from the officers and men of the Pennsylvania 
line by receiving them in payment for unlocated lands, ter- 
ritory lying west and northwest of the confluence of the 
Allegheny and Ohio, as far north as Pine creek and west to 
Beaver creek. These lands came to be known as '' depre- 
ciation lands," and *' donation lands," and were referred 
to as the '' struck district." 

General Harmar headed an expedition of about fourteen 
hundred men to the Maumee, in the autoumn of 1790, which 
was unsuccessful. General Scott marched to the Wabash 
with seven hundred and fifty men the next summer. And 
General Arthur St. Clair, with about twenty-three hundred 
men, was disastrously defeated by the Indians in the 

[ 58 ] 




Fo\J fCL^e.tVQ. 



FRONTIER TIMES 

Wabash country in the November of 1791, The govern- 
ment now realized its error in leaving Pittsburgh without 
military protection. Fort Pitt had fallen into ruin, the 
fear of Indian attack revived and the settlers besought the 
government for a garrison. Under orders from General 
Knox, the Secretary of War, Major Isaac Craig, then 
Quartermaster U. S. Army, in that same year was ordered 
to build a new defense in a position to protect the town and 
to secure in safety public stores forwarded at different 
times by the Government. The site chosen by the Govern- 
ment was located on what is now Penn avenue and Ninth 
street, on the property now occupied by W. G. Johnson & 
Co., because it is said the Penns desired Fort Fayette to 
be located beyond the town limits, believing the value of 
their property would be enhanced by the absence^of a mili- 
tary post at the point ; particularly, if they could advertise 
in the eastern papers that there was so little danger from 
the Indians that there was no longer a garrison in Pitts- 
burgh. The fort was completed by Major Craig and occu- 
pied by Captain Hughes and a detachment of the Second 
U. S. Regiment on May first, 1792; Major Craig had named, 
in his report to the Secretary of War, the new fortification 
' ' Fort Lafayette, ' ' but the name was later changed by the 
War Department to '' Fort Fayette." It was but a little 
while after Captain Hughes had assumed command that 
General Wayne arrived, with two troops then in pursuit of 
the Indians, relieving him of command. (In August, 1813, 
an Act of Congress was passed for its abandonment and 
for the sale of the property. In 1815 the old fort had dis- 
appeared, and the property, under this act, was sold, the 
Government retaining a small portion, which it still owns 
and is now used as a recruiting station for the U. S. Army.) 

The conditions in Pittsburgh again became complex, for, 
in addition to the border warfare with the Indians, they 
were convulsed with local difficulties brought about by the 
resistance of the excise on distilled spirits. 

Congress, in 1791, in the face of much popular opposi- 
tion, accepted the financial plan of Alexander Hamilton, 
one clause of which levied an excise on spirits, distilled 
from grain, of nine to twenty-five cents per gallon, accord- 

[ 59 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

ing to their strength. Distilling was, at this time, the 
most lucrative business in western Pennsylvania; this was 
due to the great cost of transportation across the moun- 
tains and to the fact that the mouth of the Mississippi was 
in Spanish territory. The soil was rich and produced the 
various grains with little labor, but there was no outlet, 
no market. In Allegheny, Fayette, Washington and West- 
moreland counties about one-fifth of the farmers were dis- 
tillers ; more whiskey was made here in proportion to the 
population than in any other part of the country. The 
people, therefore, felt the whiskey tax to be oppressive and 
unjust, owing to the obstacles in transportation which 
practically barred them from the general market. The in- 
habitants were largely Scotch-Irish and they quickly re- 
sented the restriction. Public meetings were held, resolu- 
tions were passed and ordered published, to the following 
effect, in the Pittsburgh Gazette: 

*'Any person who had accepted or might accept an office 
under Congress in order to carry the law into effect, should 
be considered inimical to the interests of the country, and 
citizens to treat every person accepting such office with 
contempt, and absolutely to refuse all kinds of communica- 
tion or intercourse with him, and withhold from him all aid, 
support and comfort. ' ' 

Some prominent men of this section were identified with 
the resistance. The collector for the counties of Allegheny 
and Washington, Robert Johnson, was waylaid on the fifth 
of September, 1791, and tarred and feathered. On the 
fifteenth of September, 1792, the President issued a procla- 
mation " enjoining all persons to submit to the law," and 
the Governor resolved: '' First, to prosecute delinquents; 
second, to seize unexcised spirits on their way to market; 
and third, to make no purchases for the army except of 
such spirits as had paid duty." Personal outrages to the 
collectors continued, but regard for the law gained, rather 
than lost, throughout the year 1793. '' Tom the Tinker " 
was the popular phrase used to designate the opposers of 
the whiskey law. 

The opposition to the law, until July fifteenth, 1794, may 
be considered a resistance; then for a short time features 

[ 60 ] 



FRONTIER TIMES 

of an insurrection were apparent, when Major Lenox, the 
marshal, with the inspector, General Neville, undertook to 
serve a writ on a farmer named Miller, living near Peters' 
creek. 

Lenox had successfully served his writs in Allegheny 
county, but this one was resisted by Miller and his neigh- 
bors, who resented, it is generally considered, the presence 
of General Neville. General Neville had been made in- 
spector for reason of his deserved popularity, hoping to 
render the office less offensive to the people through his 
personality. Miller, or one of the five or six men with 
him, fired, it is believed, without any intention of harming 
either Neville or Lenox, so long as they did not persist in 
serving the writ. 

At a public meeting, held that day at Mingo creek, this act 
of resistance was reported and it roused about thirty young 
men, who, led by John Holcroft, went to General Neville's 
house early the next morning, demanding his official papers 
and commission; these were refused and shots were ex- 
changed. A public meeting was called, and a force, under 
Major MacFarlane (lately an officer in the Revolution), 
marched to the house of Neville, which was now defended 
by Major Kirkpatriek and ten United States soldiers from 
the garrison in Pittsburgh. MacFarlane demanded Ne- 
ville, but Neville was not there; then Neville's papers were 
required, but Kirkpatriek said he would not deliver them, 
and that he could defend them. In the skirmish which en- 
sued MacFarlane was killed; infuriated by this, some of 
the insurgents set fire to the bam, which spread and de- 
stroyed the dwelling house and small buildings. Major 
Kirkpatriek and his men surrendered. Another meeting 
was held in the Mingo creek meeting house; David Brad- 
ford and Colonel John Marshall of Washington (Pa.) at- 
tended, also Messrs. Parkinson, Cook and Brackenridge. 
Great indignation was expressed for the death of MacFar- 
lane; and a circular letter was sent to the colonels of the 
regiments in the western counties arranging Braddock's 
Field as a rendezvous. It has been estimated that probably 
seven thousand men gathered there in response, August 
first, 1794. 

[ 61 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Consternation was rife in Pittsburgh, lest the mob should 
come in and burn the town. The insurgents searched the 
mail and found letters from Colonel Presley Neville, Mr. 
Brison, Mr. Edward Day and General Gibson, which dis- 
pleased them, and the gentlemen named were compelled to 
leave the town. David Bradford even went so far as to 
suggest that Pittsburgh should be entered and the garrison 
taken, but this found small favor. Speeches and sugges- 
tions took up the greater part of the day, with Brackenridge 
and Cook arguing against any rash action. The result 
was, the insurgents marched mutteringly into Pittsburgh 
and, through the manipulation of Brackenridge and the 
grace of a *' treat " of whiskey, they were quietly ferried 
across the Monongahela, leaving the town unharmed. 

This movement, though somewhat ludicrous in its pro- 
ceedings and harmless in its outcome, caused President 
Washington to issue a proclamation on the seventh of 
August, calling out the militia, ' ' feeling the deepest regret 
for the occasion, but withal, the most solemn conviction 
that the essential interests of the Union demanded it; that 
the very existence of government, and the fundamental 
principles of social order are involved in the issue, * * * 
all persons being insurgents, on or before the first day of 
September, to disperse and retire peaceably to their re- 
spective abodes." 

Directed by the President, Pennsylvania accoutred fifty- 
two hundred men. New Jersey twenty-one hundred, Mary- 
land twenty-three hundred and fifty, and Virginia thirty- 
three hundred. Governor Mifflin called the Assembly of 
Pennsylvania in special session, and ordered the State 
militia to be put in readiness with all haste. James Ross, 
Jasper Yeates and William Bradford were appointed com- 
missioners to the western counties, and Colonel Cook, 
Albert Gallatin, H. H. Brackenridge and Judge Edgar con- 
ferred with them on behalf of the insurgents. Wliile these 
gentlemen had been associated with the insurgents, they 
had pointed out the folly of resistance and the ruinous 
effects to the new Republic if the insurrection continued, 
and had done all in their power to restore quietness and 
submission. ''All males over eighteen " were individually 

[ 62 ] 



FRONTIER TIMES 

to sign a test of submission on or before September 
eleventh, but, owing to tlie distances and the slowness of 
communication, this was not promptly accomplished and, 
consequently, the report of the commissioners was not 
favorable. President Washington actually set out for 
Pittsburgh on the first of October, but before he reached 
Bedford, a great reaction had taken place, the test of sub- 
mission had been signed and the Whiskey Insurrection 
ended. The President came no farther west than Bedford, 
but the army was permitted to arrive in Pittsburgh. 

Except twenty-five hundred men, who remained in Pitts- 
burgh under command of General Morgan through the 
winter, the army immediately returned east. The judicial 
investigation was conducted by Judge Richard Peters, and, 
though many innocent persons were seriously incon- 
venienced, because the trials were held in Philadelphia, 
only two were convicted and these were pardoned by the 
President. The quelling of this rebellion cost the govern- 
ment about three-quarters of a million dollars. 

W^hile this district was laboring with a local insurrection, 
General Wayne was drilling an army to subdue the Indians 
who were menacing the western country. Although they 
had failed in their alliance with the French in the Seven 
Years War, and failed in the conspiracy led by Pontiac to 
drive the English east of the AUeghenies in 1763, they con- 
tinued to harass the frontier and to defeat nearly every 
expedition led into their own country against them. 

The terms of the treaty made at Fort Stanwix with the 
English in 1768, named the Ohio river as the western 
boundary line of the English possessions. Little by little 
the settlers continued to encroach on the Indians' territory; 
protest after protest was made by the several nations but 
were of no avail. Offers of money and annuities as a con- 
sideration for allowing the settlers to remain undisturbed 
in their new homes were rejected. Various councils re- 
sulted in no amicable adjustment and the settlers showed 
a determination to remain in any event. 

This prolonged state of hostility on the part of the In- 
dians was doubtless enhanced by the promises of aid and 
the moral support of the English, who were feeling bitter 

[ 63 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

over their defeat by the colonies in the War for Independ- 
ence, therefore, it became necessary to strike a decisive 
blow. Accordingly, General Wayne's army was moved into 
the disputed territory in the fall of 1793, and the winter 
was spent in building roads, constructing forts and collect- 
ing stores. The following year, after a series of minor 
conflicts, the decisive battle on the Maumee was fought on 
the twentieth of August. This so paralyzed the Indians 
that no further resistance was made to the settlements 
within a long radius of Pittsburgh. 

In the same year (1794), Pittsburgh was erected into a 
borough. It had been the point of contest between the 
English and French, between the English and Indians, be- 
tween Pennsylvania and Virginia; had suffered the throes 
of insurrection and the attendant humiliations, but, by this 
last campaign of Wayne, relieved from all hindrance to 
growth, the vicissitudes of its beginning were accomplished. 



[ 64] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTEB 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 



It is impossible to give the date of the actual beginning 
of trade, or the names of the first traders or settlers at the 
headwaters of the Ohio, but during the French occupation 
of Fort Duquesne, from the spring of 1754 until the 
autumn of 1758, Indian traders dwelt in the vicinity under 
the protection of the fort. Among these traders there were 
some English, not only at this time but at least five years 
earlier, 1749, at which time protest was made to the Gov- 
ernor of Pennsylvania by Celeron, the commander of the 
French forces along the Allegheny, that the traders from 
the English colonies were trespassing on the territory of 
France, and there is extant a record pointing to the possi- 
bility of traders here even ten years previous to the French 
occupation. In the Isaac Craig annotated list of the in- 
habitants of Pittsburgh in 1760, to be found in the succeed- 
ing pages, there occurs the account that *' Lazarus Lowry 
and his brother James were licensed Indian traders as 
early as 1744. ' ' In this account the essential information to 
establish the certainty of the Lowrys being Indian traders at 
Pittsburgh as early as this is lacking, though it is possible 
that they were. There is no information in detail regard- 
ing any of these traders, owing to the meagre records, but 
it is worthy of note that, the day following the capture of 
Fort Duquesne, General Forbes, in acquainting Lieutenant- 
Governor Denny with his success, dated his letter from 
*' Fort Duquesne, or now Pitts-Borough." It is evident 
from this fact that there were enough settlers to warrant 
5 [ 65 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Forbes in using the term " borougli." In fact, the name 
" Pittsburgh " was almost as frequently used in the cor- 
respondence of the period dated here as " Fort Pitt," 
which was doubtless due to the fact that there was in 
reality no fort until the completion of Fort Pitt, the French 
having burned Fort Duquesne, although the name " Fort 
Pitt ' ' had been decided upon to succeed the French name, 
even before the French evacuation. General Stanwix 
seems to have been the first to use the term '' Fort Pitt " 
in his correspondence, the earliest date being December 
twenty-fourth, 1759. He also used, in the same letters, 
*' Pittsburgh," and in other communications, '' Camp at 
Pittsburgh." Pittsburgh was, and had, for some time, been 
regarded the most important trading post in the western 
country, and within a short time after the English occupa- 
tion, the number of inhabitants ha.d increased to such an 
extent that a fair sized village flourished outside the gar- 
rison. 

One of the early settlers about Fort Pitt was James 
Kenney, from Chester county, Pennsylvania, who had 
charge of a general store for the Pemberton family of 
Philadelphia. Kenney 's manuscript diary has fortunately 
been preserved, and from it is learned that, in 1761, the 
commanding officer of the fort ordered an enumeration to 
be made of all the dwelling houses outside the fort. Ac- 
cording to Kenney, all of these houses, except one, had been 
built within two years. That ' ' many of ye inhabitants here 
have hired a schoolmaster, and subscribed about sixty 
pounds for this year (1761) for him, he has about twenty 
scholars, and likewise ye soberer sort of people seem to 
long for some public way of worship, so ye schoolmaster, 
etc., reads ye Litany and Common Prayer on ye first da3^s 
to a Congregation of different principles (he being a Pres- 
biterant), where they behave very grave (as I hear), on ye 
occasion, ye children are also brought to church as they 
call it." 

A record of the population of Pittsburgh at this period 
gives the number of men as three hundred and twenty-four, 
the woman ninety-two, and children forty-eight, living out- 
side the garrison ; and the number of houses, with owners ' 

[ 66 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

names, two hundred and twenty. Also, Mr. Isaac Craig's 

annotated list of 1760 (from the Ecuyer Papers), of the 

names is here given and furnishes interesting bits of in- 
formation concerning the inhabitants. 

John Langdale, an Indian trader; May twentieth, 1760. 
He and Josiah Davenport and Robert Burchan were 
nominated and recommended to the Governor as suit- 
able persons for agents at Pittsburgh, by the Commis- 
sioners under the Act for preventing abuses in the 
Indian trade. In 1765 he married Alice Coates. 

John Barklit, probably John Barkley, an Indian trader as 
late as 1772. 

Hugh McSwine, 

James Braden, 

Philip Boyle, enlisted May fourth, 1756, in Captain Joseph 
Shippen's Company, in Colonel William Clapham's 
regiment. After the capture of Fort Duquesne he was 
employed by Colonel Croghan in the Indian trade. 

John Greenfield, 

Edward Graham, 

Lewis Bernard, 

Samuel Hyden, 

William Splane, 

Robert Hook, 

John Pierce, subsequently Pa^nnaster-General of Pennsyl- 
vania militia. 

William McAllister, was living in Washington county dur- 
ing the Whiskey Insurrection in 1794. 

James St. Clair, 

Erasmus Bokias, a family named Bokius, settled very early 
in that portion of Washington county on the Mononga- 
hela river, above Redstone, Old Fort. 

John Everlow, 

George Carr, 

Edward Cook, was a man of great ability and influence ; he 
held numerous offices, both civil and military. He was 
one of the three persons who ordered the building of 
the fort at Hannastown in 1776. He was a delegate 
from Westmoreland county to the Convention of 1776 ; 
County Lieutenant in 1782 ; and Judge of the Court of 

[ 67 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Common Pleas for Washington and Fayette counties 
in 1786. 

AVilliam Bryan, 

James Harris, of Cmnberland county; April eighteenth, 
1785, was appointed Deputy Surveyor under the Act of 
the seventh of April, 1785 ; and he was the surveyor of 
Harris's district, No. 11. April sixth, 1787, he was 
appointed one of the three commissioners for laying 
out a road between the Frankstown Branch and the 
Conemaugh river. April third, 1789, he was appointed 
one of the three commissioners to run the boundary 
line of Huntingdon county. 

John M'Kee, 

William Work was a Paxton man, and one of the signers of 
a circular addressed " To all His Majesty's subjects 
in the Province of Pennsylvania and elsewhere," dated 
at ' ' Paxton, October thirty-first, 1755, from John Har- 
ris 's at twelve o'clock at night." The address will be 
found in the Pennsylvania Colonial Records, Vol. VI., 
p. 669. March fifteenth, 1758, he was appointed an 
ensign in Captain Patrick Davis' Company, and sta- 
tioned east of the Susquehannah. May fourth, 1759, 
he was commissioned a Lieutenant in Colonel William 
Clapham 's regiment. 

William Downey, 

James Milligan was commissioned April sixteenth, 1779, a 
Lieutenant in the Seventh Pennsylvania regiment, and 
by the arrangement of January twentieth, 1780, he was 
transferred to the Fourth Pennsylvania regiment, com- 
manded by Lieutenant Colonel William Butler. I think 
he was a delegate to the Provincial Convention of 
January, 1775. 

John Linsey, a private in Colonel William Butler's com- 
pany of St. Clair's Battalion, in 1776. 

Alexander Ewing, an Indian trader as late as 1772. 

Andrew Briarly, 

Isaac Hall, 

Lazarus Lowry and his brother, James, were licensed In- 
dian traders as early as July, 1744. They had great 
influence with the Indians, and the Governor of Canada 

[ 68 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

authorized the commandant at Detroit to offer a Very 
high price for their scalps in order to get rid of them. 

Uriah Hill, 

Edward Ward. Too well known to require notice. 

William Trent. Too well known to require notice. 

John Finly, Indian trader licensed in 1774, afterwards a 
Captain in Colonel Richard Butler's regiment, and 
assistant-quartermaster in Wayne's Army. 

Hugh Crawford, an Indian trader, July thirty-first, 1750, 
* * Governor Hamilton laid before the Council at Phila- 
delphia a message from the chiefs of the four nations 
of the Twigh twees, which was spoken to Mr. Hugh 
Crawford, Indian trader, in one of the Twightwees 
towns on the Owaback, where he was trading last win- 
ter, and which he put down in writing, ' ' The message 
can be found in Pennsylvania Colonial Records. In 
1756 he was Lieutenant in Captain James Patterson's 
Company of Colonel Weier's Battalion. 

Joseph Spear, Indian trader as late as 1775; he then re- 
sided in Pittsburgh, near Judge Ormsby's house. 
Spear was also one of His Majesty's Justices of the 
Peace of Westmoreland county in 1774 and 1775. He 
appeared prominently in the controversy between Dr. 
John Connolly and the Pennsylvania authorities in re- 
gard to the boundary line between Pennsylvania and 
Virginia. 

John McClure was coroner of Cumberland county, 1754- 
1758. An uncle of Mayor Ebenezer Denny, mentioned 
in his journal, p. 321, as residing " nine miles above 
Fort Pitt on the Monongahela," an ancestor of all the 
McClures in the neighborhood. 

Thomas Welch, 

.John Cahoon, 

Patrick Cunningham, 

Samuel Heyden, a captain in the King's Rangers in the 
Revolution. In 1777, taken prisoner, violated his 
parole, and was sent to the Council of Pennsylvania. 

James Reed is doubtless the Read of Reading; he after- 
wards held many oflQces both civU and militar}^ 

Jolui Daily resided in Rostaver township, Westmoreland 

[ 69 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

county. November twenty-fifth, 1794, he was accepted 
by Judge Addison as bail for the appearance of Moses 
D. Devore, who was charged with being concerned in 
the Wliiskey Insurrection. 

Charles Boyle, brother of Philip Boyle. 

William Jacobs, 

Robert Paris, this is perhaps a mistake, and should be 
Richard Paris. Colonel John Armstrong frequently 
mentions Paris as a trader. In 1757, Paris brought a 
number of Cherokee and Catawba Indians to aid Penn- 
sylvania. In a letter dated Carlisle, May fifth, 1757, 
Colonel Armstrong writes to the Governor: " Be- 
sides the inclination which the Cherokees have ex- 
pressed to be acquainted and occasionally join with us, 
I am well acquainted with Paris, the trader, who is at 
the head of these people, and can, I am persuaded, get 
him to visit us and assist with more or less of his 
people, except when they may be put on some expedi- 
tion, or particular service from Virginia but have not 
taken the liberty even of writing that gentleman on the 
subject, until I have Your Honor's authority for do- 
ing so." 

William Fowler, 

John Judy, 

Thomas Small, 

Cornelius Atkinson enlisted April twentieth, 1756, in Cap- 
tain Joseph Shippen's company, and June fifth was 
sent with Lazarus and James Lowry and others on a 
scout, for an account of which see Colonial Records, 
Vol. VII., p. 155. 

Robert Reed, 

Neil McCollum, 

John Work, subsequently a Justice of the Peace in Cumber- 
land county. John Work signed a petition for the in- 
habitants of Westmoreland county, dated Pittsburgh, 
June fourteenth, 1771. See Pennsylvania Archives, 
Vol. IV., p. 518. 

George Tomb, probably George Tump, a militiaman and 
spy during the Revolution. 

George Sly, 

[ 70 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

Patrick McCarty, 

Cliristoplier Miller resided in or near Pittsburgli; he also 
signed the petition of the inhabitants of Westmoreland 
county to Governor Penn, dated June fourteenth, 1781. 

William Heath, this was probably William Heth, after- 
wards Lieutenant-Colonel of the Third Virginia Regi- 
ment, in the Revolutionary war. The name was quite 
commonly written Heath. 

William Winsor, 

John Graham was in the Indian trade as late as 1772. 

John Robinson, 

John Duncastle, 

Peter Smith, 

Windle Creamer, 

John Snyder, 

Peter Mumaw, 

Matthias Doberick, 

James Sampson, 

Charles Hays, 

Abram Lingenfilder, 

John Coleman. Can this be the man whose case before the 
Presbytery, April fifteenth, 1788, is noticed in Smith's 
" Old Redstone," p. 355? There was a family of this 
name in Lancaster engaged in the manufacture of rifles 
and pack-saddles, and in the Indian trade. Robert and 
William are the best known of the family. I am under 
the impression that General Hand became associated 
with them after the Revolution, in the manufacture of 
rifles. 

Jacob Sinnott, 

Sinnott, 

(imperfect), 

dor (imperfect), 

alesby (imperfect), 

Conrad Crone, 

Nicholas Philip, 

Harnider, 

France Ferdinanders, 

Henry Wembock, 

Adam Overwinter, 

[ 71 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Paul Sharp, 

Tineas Smith, 

Philip Byarly, 

Anthony Baker, 

Christopher Rorabunck, 

Thomas Bretton, 

Joseph George, 

Ephriam Blane was Commissary-General of the Middle 
Department in the Revolution and great grandfather 
of Honorable James G. Blaine, United States Senator. 
Total, 90. 

Women's Names. 

Susannah McSwine, Margaret Pomry, 

Mary Wallen, Chris 'm McCollom, 

Mary Atkinson, Agnus Tomb, 

Martha Reed, Marget Sly, 

Elizabeth Randal, Lydia McCarty, 

Phebe Byarly, Lenora Rogers, 

Judah Crawford, Elenor Millar, 

Mary Reed, Bridget Winsor, 

Anna Thomas, Marget Crone, 

Sarah Daily, Susannah Sinnott, 

Henrietta Price, Mary Hays, 

Elizabeth Boyle, Marget Sampson, 

Elizabeth Jacobs, Cate Creamer, 

Mary Judy, Chris. Smith. 

Mary Reed, Total, 29. 



Male Children. 

George McSwine, Godfrey Christian, 

Jacob Byarly, Henry Millar, 

Jno. Reed, Chris. Phillips, 

Robt. Atkinson, John Sinnott, 

George Reed, Philip Sinnott, 

Thomas McCollom, Patrick Feagan, 

Jno. Work, George Creamer. 

Total, 14. 

[ 72 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

Female Children. 

Mary McSwine, Elizabeth Judy, 

Elizabeth Otter, Elizabeth Pomry, 

Marget Coghran, Elizabeth Work, 

Nelly Thomas, Elizabeth Sly, 

Susan Daily, Susanna Sly, 

Rebekah Boyle, Rachel Sly, 

Marget Boyle, Nancy Ba (imperfect), 

Marget Jacobs, Mary Sinn (imperfect), 

Mary Judy, Marget Cro (imperfect). 

Total, 18. 

Houses , 146 

Number of hutts 36 

Number of unfinished houses 19 

Total 201 



From Captain Ecuyer's Journal, the Colonial Records, 
the writings of Judge Brackenridge, and other sources, it is 
possible to form a fairly accurate idea of the pioneer days 
of Pittsburgh. The town was divided into a Lower and 
Upper town; the *' King's Gardens " stretching along the 
Allegheny, with a background of wheatfields. The resi- 
dence of the commandant, a substantial brick building 
within the Fort, being the most pretentious house. As a 
diversion, a club met at Port Pitt every Monday during the 
winter months, and a ball was given by the soldiers every 
Saturday evening. 

The letters of Ecuyer state that, on June second, 1763, 
the garrison of Fort Pitt consisted of two hundred and fifty 
men. But, owing to the conspiracy of Pontiac, that same 
year, the refugees increased the number in Fort Pitt to 
five hundred and forty men, women and children, the town 
having been demolished by the garrison in order to leave no 
shelter for the Indians, It is estimated that, because of this 
war, twenty-four Indian traders divided among themselves 
a loss of about ninety thousand pounds, New York currency. 
The reinforcements under Colonel Henry Bouquet, and his 

[ 73 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

subsequent victory over the Indians at Muskingum, brought 
relief to Fort Pitt. But the fear of Indian attack, as has 
been said, continued to exercise a detrimental effect upon 
the growth of the town until the victory of Wayne, in 1794. 
However, in 1764, confidence was so far restored that Col- 
onel John Campbell made a survey, laying out a plan of lots 
and streets, afterwards termed the " Old Military Plan," 
which comprised that part of the city now lying within the 
boundaries of Water and Second streets. Market and Ferry 
streets. It is not known for whom Campbell acted, but his 
survey was later accepted by the Penns. 

The Indian trade continued to increase, and it was proba- 
bly at this time that the row of substantial brick houses on 
the bank of the Allegheny was built. Many prominent 
Eastern merchants had warehouses here, among whom were 
the Pembertons, and the firm of Boynton, Wharton & Mor- 
gan, of Philadelphia. 

Accommodations for travelers were of a very primitive 
nature. In 1766, Matthew Clarkson, a merchant, and at one 
time Mayor of Philadelphia, made a journey from that 
place to Pittsburgh. He left Philadelphia on horseback, 
August sixth, accompanied by a servant. Exclusive of 
stops, ten days' traveling were required to reach Pitts- 
burgh. His journal does not convey much information re- 
garding the town; but sufficient to show that accommoda- 
tions were meagre. Upon his arrival, he said: " I was 
stowed away in a small crib, on blankets, in company with 
flees and bugs." He went to the " ship yards," where he 
found four boats finished and in the water, and three more 
on the stocks, and business going on briskly. The fort was 
then under the command of Major Murphy, who gave Mr. 
Clarkson lodging in the barracks, but owing to the poor food 
supplied he usually made his meals of bread and milk ^' at 
the store." Mr. Clarkson spoke of Doctor Murdock, and 
of Reverend Mr. McLagan, Chaplain, who preached alter- 
nately in Scotch and English. And he also mentioned that 
the mail from Pittsburgh was sent monthly by soldiers to 
Shippensburg, which was the nearest post-office. 

When George Washington visited Pittsburgh in 1770, the 
town was much smaller than it was eight or nine years 

[ 74 ] 



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BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

previous. This was due to the constant fear of Indian 
attack subsequent to the conspiracy of Pontiac. Wash- 
ington was a large land holder in the vicinity of the Great 
Kanawha, and a journey to his possessions was the reason 
for his visit to Pittsburgh. 

In his journal he wrote: " Dr. Craik and myself, with 
Captain Crawford and others, arrived at Port Pitt, distant 
from the Crossing forty-three and a half measured miles. 
We lodged in what is called the town, distant about three 
hundred yards from the Fort, at one Mr. Semple's, who 
keeps a very good house of public entertainment." (Sem- 
ple's Tavern stood on the corner of Water and Ferry 
streets.) *' These houses, which are built of logs, and 
ranged into streets, are on the Monongahela and I suppose 
may be about twenty in number, and inhabited by Indian 
traders, etc. The Fort is built on the point between the 
rivers Allegheny and Mongahela, but not so near the pitch 
of it as Fort Duquesne stood * * * etc." The next 
day he made the following entry : ' ' Dined in the Fort with 
Colonel Croghan and the officers of the garrison; supped 
there also, meeting with great civility from the gentlemen, 
and engaged to dine with Colonel Croghan the next day at 
his seat about four miles up the Allegheny." 

The first attempt at civil government for Pittsburgh and 
Western Pennsylvania was made in 1771, when the Penns 
appointed Arthur St. Clair, ^neas Mackay, Devereux 
Smith, and Andrew McFarlane to act as magistrates in 
Westmoreland county, which then included almost all of 
Western Pennsylvania. Previous to this the settlement 
had practically been under the rule of the Commandant of 
Fort Pitt. 

While the Indians on the frontier appeared to be peace- 
ably inclined, the departure of the garrison, in the latter 
part of 1772, caused great consternation among the inhab- 
itants who feared that without protection the growth and 
prosperity of the town would be seriously retarded. A peti- 
tion was sent to Governor Penn urging the necessity for 
the continuance of the military force at Fort Pitt. The 
Governor applied to General Gage, the Commander-in-Chief 
of the British Forces in America, for the restoration of the 

[ 75 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

garrison, but the request was refused on the ground that 
'^ no government can undertake to erect forts for the ad- 
vantage of forty or fifty people. ' ' 

Again the inhabitants of the town and vicinity became 
apprehensive of the Indians and sent a petition to Governor 
Penn for protection. Among the signers of this petition 
are to be found the names of many men who afterward rose 
to positions of prominence in the various walks of life in 
Pittsburgh, and whose influence is still felt by the citizens of 
to-day. The list is given complete, as it is, with the signers 
of the protest of 1781, against the retention of Colonel 
Broadhead as Commandant at Fort Pitt, the only record 
extant of even a portion of the inhabitants from the enu- 
meration of 1760, down to the early part of the next cen- 
tury: '' Ensign McKay, Devereux Smith, William Butler, 
James O'Hara, Samuel McKenzie, John Ormsby, John Mc- 
Allister, Andrew Robinson, Edward Thompson, William 
Evans, William McClellan, William Lea, Frederick Henry, 
John Henry, Christopher Miller, John Stewart, Richard 
Carson, James Camahan, John Chilton, John Camahan, 
Peter Ecklej^, Edward Murray, William McConnell, James 
Kyle, Benjamin Coe, Joseph Kyle, John Worf, Robert Pat- 
terson, Reuben Powell, Peter Coe, William Elliott, John 
Emerson, Adam McClintock, James Neely, Leaven Cooper, 
Nathaniel Field, Aldrich Allen, David Watson, John Cleg- 
horn, Stephen Lowry, Silas Miller, John Camahan, William 
Stewart, Clarence Findley, John Findley, Andrew Findley, 
Robert Thompson, Samuel McGomery, Thomas Carroll, 
James Patterson, Arthur St. Clair, James Pollock, David 
Sample, Michael Huffnagle, Samuel Shannon, Samuel 
Smith, James Dugan, George Hutcheson, George McDowell, 
Nathan Young, Michael Coffman, William Piper, George 
Glenn, David McCann, Alexander Jolmston, John Cave- 
naugh, Robert Nox, James McDowell, Thomas Bleack, 
David Thompson, Jacob Meens, John Smith, John Mc- 
Naghar, Hugh Lorrimer, Benjamin Sitten, Thomas Sutton, 
H. Slatten, David Loveger, James McCurdy, Abel Fisher, 
Robert Porter, John Livingston, Robert Laughlin, Charles 
Kille, Dudley Dougherty, Hugh Hamill, Richard Shannon, 
John Wesnor, John Shannon, Joseph Gaskins, Robert Mc- 

[ 76 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

Dowell, John Jordan, John Smith, Thomas Galbraith, Sam- 
uel Evans, Henry Fitzgerald, Edmund Mullaly, James 
Thompson, Robert Mickey, David Mickey, Alexander Mc- 
Dowell and William McKenzie. ' ' 

Another effect of the departure of the garrison was to 
add io the heated controversy between Pennsylvania and 
Virginia regarding the boundary line. When Dr. John 
Connolly, under orders of Governor Dunmore, of Virginia, 
took possession of Fort Pitt, in 1774, the inhabitants of the 
town came under his despotic rule, and there was no relief 
until the fall of 1775, when Connolly was succeeded by 
Captain John Neville, also a Virginian, whose government 
was more lenient; but the custom of the military oppressing 
the inhabitants of the town continued to a greater or less 
degree through his regime and those of subsequent com- 
mandants. During the efforts of Pennsylvania to forcibly 
prevent the depreciation of paper currency, in 1779, by fix- 
ing the prices of all commodities of exchange and for con- 
sumption, as well as rates of rent, the officers of the line 
and staff in the Western Department at Fort Pitt, under 
Colonel Brodhead, a continental commander, attempted to 
carry tlie plan through, but the move was met with in- 
dignant opposition by the traders and inhabitants. Several 
protests were made to the Legislature of Pennsylvania 
against Brodhead and his associates. The whole intent of 
the State's plan was misconstrued and failed here, as else- 
where. Brodhead was accused of '' jobbery, conspiracy, 
speculation, despotism, tyranny, confiscation of property, 
etc." The charge of '' jobbery " and *' conspiracy " re- 
lated to Brodhead 's questionable dealings with the Assistant 
Deputy Quartermaster of the State, Mr. David Duncan, 
concerning the supply and fixing of prices of articles for 
consumption at the post. Brodhead 's unpopularity at 
Pittsburgh continued. He practically ruled the town with 
military power, utterly disregarding the opposition of the 
inhabitants. Protest was again made to the President and 
Supreme Executive Council of the State in 1781. This, and 
the angry controversy in which he became involved with 
some of ins officers, headed by Colonel Gibson, resulted in 
his recall the same year. General William Irvine succeeded 

[ 77 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

him by choice of Congress, and the transition of the town to 
a civil center was somewhat accelerated. The names of the 
feigners of the protest, or memorial mentioned above, are as 
follows : William Christy, John Oiinsby, Thomas Nicholas, 
Robert Campbell, Robert McKinley, James Robinson, Peter 
Bowlider, E. M. Ward, Samuel Ewalt, John Hamilton, Wil- 
liam Amberson, Thomas Smallman, John Bradley, William 
Barr, James McFelland, Devereux Smith, John Jerry, 
James Fleming, Andrew Robertson, John Fowler, George 
AVallace, John Handlyn, E. Moore, William Reddich, A. 
Lowler, David Tait and John Irwin. 

The breaking out of the struggle between the colonies and 
England retarded immigration and, hence, in a measure, the 
growth of the town; it was not until after the Revolu- 
tion that Pittsburgh again resumed the substantial progress 
which had been interrupted by the conspiracy of Pontiac 
in 1763. The poverty stricken Continental Government 
availed itself of the large and vacant Northwest Territory 
as a means of payment to its soldiers, and, with this added 
incentive, immigration was resumed. 

This immigration and settlement of new territory was a 
most important factor in the growth of Pittsburgh, as the 
Ohio river was the natural highway to the west. In 1787 
the population of the Northwest Territory was estimated at 
three or four thousand. Much of the emigration to Ken- 
tucky, beginning at the close of the Revolution, likewise 
passed through Pittsburgh. In the Pittsburgh Gazette of 
January seventeenth, 1789, it is estimated that from Octo- 
ber, 1786, to December, 1788, sixteen thousand, two hundred 
and three persons went westward on the Ohio river. But 
this progress of Pittsburgh was only comparative, and 
though it was substantial, it was not of an increasing vigor ; 
it was only the slow beginning of things. The really 
marked advance began in the summer of 1794, after Gen- 
eral Wayne's decisive victory over the Indians, which re- 
lieved Pittsburgh and its vicinity from all further fear of 
them. 

The treaty made by Thomas and Richard Penn with the 
Six Nations in 1768, secured to them, for $10,000.00, all the 
country in the Province of Pennsylvania south of the west 

[ 78 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

branch of the Susquehanna and of a straight lino from the 
northwest corner of Cambria county to Kittanning, and all 
east of the Allegheny below Kittanning, and all south of 
the Ohio. While they prepared to sell their lands, they 
decided to reserve for their private estate certain sections 
which they regarded as especially valuable, owing to favor- 
able location or for other reasons. These sections were 
called manors, and among them was the Manor of Pitts- 
burgh, comprising five thousand seven hundred and sixty- 
six acres about the headwaters of the Ohio. The survey of 
this manor was made in the early part of 1769, 

In the latter part of 1783, John Penn and John Penn, Jr., 
the then Proprietaries, decided to sell the lands included in 
the Manor of Pittsburgh which, according to this survey, 
were bounded as follows : 

" The survey began at a Spanish oak on the south bank 
of the Monongahela, thence south eight hundred perches to 
a hickory, thence west one hundred fifty perches to a white 
oak, thence north thirty-five degrees west one hundred 
forty-four perches to a white oak, thence west five hundred 
eighteen perches to a white oak, thence north seven hun- 
dred fifty-eight perches to a post, thence east sixty perches 
to a post, north fourteen degrees east two hundred eight 
perches to a white walnut on the bank of the Ohio, thence 
up the river two hundred two perches to a white walnut, 
thence crossing the river and up the south side of the 
Allegheny seven hundred sixty-two perches to a Spanish 
oak at the corner of Croghan's claim, thence south sixty 
degrees east two hundred forty-nine perches to a sugar 
tree, south eighty-five degrees east one hundred ninety-two 
perches to a sugar tree, thence by vacant land south 
eighteen degrees east two hundred thirty-six perches to a 
white oak, thence south forty degrees west one hundred 
fifty to a white oak, thence west by claim of Samuel Semple 
one hundred ninety-two perches to a hickory, thence south 
sixty-five degrees west Seventy-four perches to a red oak on 
the bank of the Monongahela, thence obliquely across the 
river south seventy-eight degrees, west three hundred and 
eight perches to the Spanish oak, the beginning. ' ' 

A more intelligible explanation for the present genera- 

[ 79 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

tion would be to say, that the Spanish oak, from which the 
survey began, stood on the south side of the Monongahela, 
in the middle of McKee street. The hickory, at the south- 
west corner, eight hundred perches, from the beginning, 
stood not far from what was known as the Buck Tavern on 
the old Brownsville road. The white walnut on the Ohio 
stood a short distance above Saw Mill Run where the Wash- 
ington and Steubenville roads unite. The white walnut, 
from which the line starts across the river, stood near the 
old glass house erected by James O'Hara and Isaac Craig. 
The Spanish oak on the Allegheny stood near the line be- 
tween Croghansville and Springfield farm. From thence 
the line passes the western side of Springfield farm, crosses 
the Fourth street road, five or six yards east of what was 
known as the ' ' Colony, ' ' turns just beyond and strikes the 
Monongahela three or four hundred feet above the mouth 
of Two Mile Run. From thence the line ran obliquely across 
as stated above. (Adapted from Craig's " Olden Time."). 

It is due to this survey of the Manor of Pittsburgh that 
almost all titles to real estate within the city of Pittsburgh 
are derived originally from the Penns, while all the titles 
in the city of Allegheny originate from the Commonwealth. 
In 1779 the Penn lands, except the manors, were confiscated 
by the Commonwealth (the Penns having sided with Eng- 
land during the War of the Revolution), which allowed 
them, however, one hundred and thirty pounds sterling, 
money of Great Britain, for their divested holdings. 

The first sale of these lands was made in January, 1784, 
to Isaac Craig and Stephen Bayard, and included the 
ground, about three acres, between Fort Pitt and the Alle- 
gheny river. Under the supervision of Tench Francis, 
agent for the Penns, a survey was made by Messrs. George 
Woods, of Bedford, an experienced surveyor, and Thomas 
Vickroy, his assistant, who left the following deposition re- 
garding it: 

'* I assisted George A¥cods, the elder, to lay out the town 
of Pittsburgh. He requested me to go with him as a sur- 
veyor and employed me in that capacity to lay out the town 
of Pittsburgh and to divide the Proprietary Manor into out- 
lots and farms. We arrived at Pittsburgh in the month of 

[ 80 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHAETER 

May, 1784, and the first thing we did was to circumscribe 
the ground where he intended to lay a town out. We began 
up about where Grant street now is on the bank of the 
Monongahela, and proceeded down the Monongahela ac- 
cording to the meanderings of the river to its junction with 
the Allegheny river, then up the Allegheny on the bank, 
keeping on the bank to a certain distance up to about Wash- 
ington street, from thence to Grant's Hill, thence along 
Grant's Hill to the place of beginning. I made a draught 
of it in Mr. Woods ' presence, throwing it into a large scale 
to see how it would answer to lay it out in lots and streets. 
After that there was a good deal of conversation. And the 
ground was viewed by Mr. Woods and the persons who lived 
at that place to fix on the best plan to lay out the town with 
the greatest convenience. There had been lots laid out be- 
fore, as I understand, called Military lots said to be laid out 
by Mr. Campbell. There are four blocks on the plan con- 
tained between Market street and Ferry street. Water 
street and Second street, Mr. Woods expressed a desire to 
remodel those small streets and lots so as to make them 
larger, especially Market street. A number of inhabitants 
had small houses on those lots as they were laid out, these 
persons remonstrated and objected and gathered in a body 
together and would not have it done, saying it would de- 
stroy their property. Eventually Mr. Woods acquiesced 
in their wishes and laid out four lots as they had been be- 
fore. A rough draft of the plan was retained by me, and 
is hereto annexed marked in my handwriting ' Original 
Draught kept by Thomas Vickroy. ' I made about six copies 
of it and gave them to Mr. Woods. The original now 
identified remained in my possession until about the year 
1827, when I handed it to Mr. Craig, but it is now again be- 
fore me, and I now further identify it by having this day 
marked on it in my handwriting: ' This draft presented to 
the City of Pittsburgh, December 16th, 1841, Thomas Vick- 
roy. ' Mr. Woods having procured a pole and a great num- 
ber of locust pins for the purpose of measuring and staking 
off the lots and streets, we then went to Samuel E wait's 
house, which stood at what is now the corner of Market and 
Water streets. Then we took the range of Water street 
6 [ 81 1 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

from some houses that then stood on the bank of the 
Monongahela river, viz: Ormsby's, Galbraith's and others, 
and then measured below Ewalt's some distance, perhaps as 
far as the Military lots and laid them out and staked them. 
We then returned and began at Ewalt's house and laid out 
Market street and the Diamond and continued Market street 
to a certain point. We then commenced and laid off Liberty 
street. After we had laid out Liberty street, we again com- 
menced at Ewalt's and measured up the river on Water 
street to Wood street, which we laid out sixty feet wide, 
running it from Water street parallel with Market street 
through to Liberty street, we then laid out the blocks be- 
tween Wood and Market streets through from Water street 
to Liberty street. We then measured up Water street to 
Smithfield street, which we also laid out from Water street 
through to Liberty street sixty feet, making it parallel with 
Wood street, and then proceeded to lay out the blocks be- 
tween Smithfield and Wood streets from Water through to 
Liberty. From Smithfield we went on to lay out Cherry 
alley, making it twenty feet wide and running it from Water 
street to Liberty parallel with Smithfield street, we then 
laid out the block of lots between Smithfield street and 
Cherry alley through from Water to Liberty street. We 
then proceeded to Grant street, which we laid out sixty feet 
wide, making it parallel with Cherry alley, and then laid out 
the block of lots between Cherry alley and Grant street. 
We ran Grant street through from Water street to Liberty, 
making it end on Liberty street. 

* ' It was the last street we laid out on that side of Liberty. 
We made Market street and Water street the bases of the 
blocks of survey south of Liberty street, and we finished all 
the surveying and laying out lots on that side of Liberty 
street before we proceeded to the other side. In making 
the sur^^ey of lots south of Liberty street, we staked them 
all off with good locust pins. In making the survey of lots . 
between Liberty and the Allegheny river we commenced I '. 
think at Marbury street and worked on up until we flushed 1 
at Washington street which was the last street we made. , 
We made Washington street to run toward the Allegheny 
river to Liberty street when it ended. The reason we 

[ 82 ] 



BEFOEE THE CITY CHARTER 

stopped at Liberty street was that if we had run across it, 
it would have run through a public street. Liberty street 
had been run and when we ran Grant street we stopped at 
Liberty street as running to a public street, and when we 
ran Washington street we stopped at Liberty street for the 
same reason. Washington street was sixty feet wide. 
Those streets, viz: Grant and Washington, did not meet 
because there was a public street between them, I cannot 
recollect whether there was an off-set or not, we made no 
off-set, but to the best of my knowledge the draft hereto 
annexed which I have identified is correct. I made it im- 
mediately after the survey. I made it from my field notes 
directly after my return from Pittsburgh. There was no 
connection between Washington street and Grant street, a 
public street intervened. There was no surplus ground 
over and above the lots between Market street and Grant 
street to the best of my recollection. We drew a line along 
the outside of the last row of lots sixty feet wide from Grant 
street, the streets and lots were all measured with a pole 
and not with a chain. The first survey made I called a 
circumscribing survey, the object of it was to get a general 
view of the ground to enable us to lay out the town, none 
of the streets were fixed by it, not even Washington or 
Grant, it was run with a chain and we threw it away and 
made no further use of it except to plot by it the ground 
north of Liberty and below Marbury street, that ground 
was then occupied by a Military post and we could not sur- 
vey it. Water street was to extend in width from the base 
line we established at Ormsby's house to low water mark 
in the river and this width was to prevail through its 
length from Grant street to the point. In laying out Water 
street there was another murmuring of the inhabitants, 
complaining that the street was too narrow. Mr. Woods 
said they would be digging cellars and then they would fill 
up the gullies and make a fine street. There was a narrow 
place at the mouth of Ferry street, and lower down also 
there was a great gut at the mouth of Wood street, which 
made an ugly crossing. We set no pins at the south side of 
Water street for it was to go to low water mark. 

' ' We ran no outside lines either on Washington or Grant 

[ 83 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

streets. We staked off the lots and marked them, then 
we left sixty feet for those streets outside. We completed 
the work in June, 1784. 

' ' In laying out the lots we might have missed an inch or 
so. We did not leave an inch knowingly. And further de- 
l^onent saith not. 

Thomas Vickroy. 

' ' Sworn to, subscribed and taken this 16th day of Decem- 
ber, A. D., 1841, in the presence of Moses Campton, Esq., 
solicitor for the city of Pittsburgh, and James S. Craft, 
Esq., who appears as within stated between the hours of 
8 o'clock A. M. and 5 o'clock P. M. of said day, at the 
house of Thomas Vickroy, St. Clair township, Bedford 
county. Before me, 

" John Mower, 

Commissioner." 

As soon as the survey was made, even before the lots 
were laid out on paper, the proprietors began to make titles 
for eager purchasers. Craig and Bayard, with character- 
istic enterprise, now formed a partnership with Turnbull, 
Marmie and Company, of Philadelphia, and in addition to 
their mercantile business, set up a distillery here, a saw 
mill up the Allegheny river, and '" opened up a salt works 
on the Big Beaver," but there is nothing extant to substaai- 
tiate that this latter industry was ever productive to any 
extent. Major Craig also made an effort to have a regular 
mail service established between Pittsburgh and the East, 
but was unsuccessful, as the subscription for a post-rider 
was insufficient. However, the energy and sagacity of 
these two pioneers, and others who cast their lot in this 
promising settlement, had its effect on the outside world, 
and descriptions of the place, detailing its advantages of 
location and resources, fell like seed upon fertile soil; im- 
migration increased and the town prospered. One of the 
earliest impressions of travellers of note, at about the time 
of the survey of Woods and Vickroy, is that from the jour- 
nal of Arthur Lee. Mr. Lee was a Virginian by birth, a 
brother of Francis Lightfoot Lee and of Richard Bland 

[ 84 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

Lee, both signers of the Declaration of Independence. Lee, 
with Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane, had been com- 
missioner to France and had lately returned. He visited 
Pittsburgh in 1784, Altogether, his account is not very flat- 
tering. His prejudice doubtless was partly temperamental. 
Franklin's estimate of him, in a letter to Joseph Reed, 
President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsyl- 
vania, credited him with an indefatigable industry in 
'' sowing suspicions and jealousies, in creating misunder- 
standings and quarrels among friends, in malice and sub- 
tility." The termination of the Pennsylvania-Virginia 
boundary controversy, which placed Pittsburgh in Penn- 
sylvania territory, also unquestionably added to his some- 
what contemptuous estimate of the town. These facts 
should be taken intO' consideration in perusing his descrip- 
tion. 

Among other things, he states that '' the banks of the 
Monongahela on the west, or opposite to Pittsburgh, are 
steep, close to the water and about twO' hundred yards high. 
About a third of the way from the top is a vein of coal 
above one of the rocks. The coal is burned in the town 
and considered veiy good. The property of this and of the 
town is in the Penns. They have lotted out the face of the 
hill at thirty pounds a lot, to dig coal as far in as the- per- 
pendicular falling from the summit of the bank. Fort Pitt 
is regularly built, cost the Crown six hundred pounds * and 
is commanded by cannon from the opposite bank of the 
Monongahela, and from a hill above the town called Grant's 
Hill, from the catastrophe which befell General Grant at 
that place. Pittsburgh is inhabited almost entirely by 
Scots and Irish, who live in paltry log houses, and are as 
dirty as in the north of Ireland, or even Scotland. There 
is a great deal of small trade carried on, the goods being 
brought at the vast expense of forty-five shillings per cwt. 
from Philadelphia and Baltimore. They take in the shops, 
money, wheat, flour and skins. There are in the town 
four attorneys, two doctors and not a priest of any per- 

* Probably an error, as good authority, to be found elsewhere in this volume, 
fixes the cost at sixty thousand pounds, which is more reasonable, considering 
the eitensiveness of the work and material used. 

[ 85 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

suasion, nor church, nor chapel; so that they are likely to 
be damned without the benefit of clergy. * * * The 
place, / believe, will never be very considerable." 

About the same time that Arthur Lee visited Pittsburgh, 
Dr. Johann Schoepf, Chancellor of the Medical College of 
Bayreuth, spent several days here, and has left his im- 
pressions. 

Schoepf agrees with Lee in not deeming the inhabitants 
very energetic, thinking " that on account of the present 
prevailing conditions, they are still very poor. They are 
also extremely inactive and indolent, so much so that they 
are indignant if anyone offers them an opportunity to 
work and earn money, for which, nevertheless, they are 
perfectly ravenous. There was a continual complaint (we 
also gave utterance to it) that every trifle manufactured 
here, however insignificant, was far more expensive than 
the same thing would be in Philadelphia. The people here 
do not become rich through industry and frugal habits, 
they prefer to replenish their houses by extorting money 
from strangers and travellers. * * * The laboring class 
has confined itself, up to this time, to agriculture and the 
curing of hides and furs. At this time a number of con- 
siderable settlements have been made lower down on the 
Ohio, which are incessantly and perceptibly increased by 
daily influxes of large numbers of men. The Pittsbarghers 
derive much profit from the passage of these transients. 
On account of its advantageous situation, Pittsburgh can- 
not fail to become, nothwithstanding its present insignifi- 
cance, an important post for inland trade," 

The same writer, in describing his entrance to the town, 
says: '' We now ascended a steep mountain and traversed 
seven miles of dense woodland. The three remaining 
miles were less sparsely inhabited. We crossed various 
brooks, named respectively from their distance to Fort 
Pitt, as the Six Mile, Four Mile, Two Mile Run. From the 
last named the road followed the bank of the Allegheny 
river. It was already twilight, but the sky was clear and 
the landscape broad and attractive, to which fair prospect 
the view of a beautiful river, the freedom from the unceas- 
ingly dreadful forest, and the contentment of being at the 

[ 86 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

end of our journey, contributed not a little. In Pittsburgh 
we repaired to the principal guest house, a little, crooked 
wooden hut, pointed out to us on the Monongahela, whose 
exterior promised very little. However, the sight of sev- 
eral well clothed gentlemen and stately ladies kept us from 
despairing. The honour to be the first object of their 
curiosity was not reserved for us, but for our vehicle, for 
we had covered the entire distance in a tilted cart (French 
carriole), which up to this date had been considered im- 
possible." Dr. Schoepf also states that the first stone 
house was built in 1784. 

From Dr. Schoepf 's account it is evident that the favor- 
able location of the town impressed him, and though he ac- 
credited the inhabitants with extreme inactivity, indolence 
and the practice of extortion in the sale of articles manu- 
factured here, as well as a general greediness for money, 
the fact remains, that among these early Pittsburghers were 
men of sterling qualities and energy, whose efforts, from the 
first, laid the foundation of the Pittsburgh of to-day. It is 
also a matter of record, as is to be seen in Craig's annotated 
list of 1760, and the petitions to the Governor of the state in 
1774 and 1781, that there were in Pittsburgh, long before 
Dr. Schoepf 's visit, men of high principles and integrity, 
who for years played important parts in war and peace, in 
the upbuilding of the town, state and nation. And when 
the shifting nature of the population is considered, the 
coming and going of emigrants for points below on the 
Ohio, and the custom — which prevails to this day the world 
over — of making the greatest profit possible out of the 
purchaser who of necessity buys but once and passes on, a 
juster light is shed on these pioneers of Pittsburgh. They 
were no diiferent in this respect than those of other towns 
on the great highways of travel in early times. The ex- 
tent of manufacturing was limited then to articles of wear- 
ing apparel and some of the cruder implements and uten- 
sils for daily use. The first industries of Pittsburgh were 
those necessary to the preparation of material for building 
purposes, and they date back to the erection of Fort Pitt, 
in the construction of which, large quantities of bricks, 
scantling, planking and squared timbers were used. In the 

[ 87 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

G overnment bill of sale of the fort, the commandant 's house 
and other buildings, over a million bricks and several 
thousand feet of scantling, planking, etc., were itemized. 
This material must have been manufactured here, as its bulk 
and weight, the cost and distance of transportation were too 
great for carriage over the mountains. It has been main- 
tained that this material was not only carried over the 
mountains, but that the brick was made in England. There 
is no absolute proof of this accessible. On the contrary, it 
is a well known fact that the early brick made in this 
country was of the English pattern where the English set- 
tled, of the Dutch where the Dutch predominated, etc. 
Hence, it seems reasonable to believe that the brick was 
manufactured on the spot, especially as the early records of 
Pittsburgh point to brick making here. Judge Bracken- 
ridge, in his Gazette letters, speaks of fine ground on 
Ayres' Hill from which '■'■ the best brick may be made," 
and for many years, according to Craig, there was left as 
evidence of the plentifulness of brick, the brick arched 
ditch which led " from Front street just below Redoubt 
alley into the Monongahela, " and built by some one of the 
various commandants of Fort Pitt. This ditch was hardly 
of sufficient importance to warrant its construction of 
brick which had to be carried over the mountains at great 
expense. 

One of the earliest industries of which there is any record 
is that of boat building. After the completion of Fort Pitt, 
the Government, in the Spring of 1760, dispatched seven- 
teen boat builders to this point to build batteaux for use on 
the Ohio and its tributaries. There is an enumeration of 
three ship carpenters in the 1761 list of houses, inhabitants, 
etc., taken from the original manuscript in the British 
Museum and published in Vol. VI. of the Pennsylvania 
Magazine. Doubtless boats were built here previous to 
these dates, during the French occupation. John McKin- 
ney, who was imprisoned in Fort Duquesne, in 1756, and 
was later carried to Canada, from whence he escaped to 
Philadelphia, said, in describing Fort Duquesne, that while 
he was there a prisoner, ' * about thirty batteaux and about 
one hundred and fifty men came up the Ohio from the Mis- 

[ 88 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

sissippi leadened with pork, flour, brandy, peas and Indian 
com. They were three months in coming to Fort Duquesne, 
and came all the way up the falls without unloading," It 
is evident from this that the river trade was of conse- 
quence prior to the English occupation, and it seems reason- 
able to believe that boat building to some extent was car- 
ried on here previous to 1760. Batteaux were unquestion- 
ably the first style of boats constructed ; traders used them 
for the transjDortation of their peltry and provisions. 
Later, as necessity arose, various styles of boats were 
made, such as the keel boats, with a capacity of from 
twenty to thirty tons; arks, which took on board nearly 
enough people to form a settlement, including live stock; 
also flats and " Kentucke " boats. In the diary of James 
Kenney, under date of April fourth, 1761, he speaks of one 
William Ramsey having two little boats, square at the 
stems and joined at the sterns by a swivel, thus making 
the two, in form, one boat that would turn around shorter 
than a single boat of the same length. He also speaks of a 
sort of an " engine that goes with wheels enclosed in a box, 
to be worked by one man by sitting on ye end of ye box, and 
tredding on treddles at bottom with his feet, set ye wheels 
agoing which works scullers or short paddles fixed over ye 
gunnels, turning them round — will make ye boate go as if 
two men rowed and he can steer at ye same time by lines 
like plow lines." The industry of boat building was men- 
tioned by Matthew Clarkson in the account of his visit to 
Pittsburgh and the " ship yards " here, in 1766. What 
kind of boats he saw at the yards is not stated. Some of 
them may have been flats or broad horns. It is known 
that the Government boat builders of 1760 built flat boats 
as well as batteaux. A few years later, 1776, two men, 
Gibson and Linn, had made the then perilous trip to New 
Orleans and return by water. They brought back, as cargo, 
one hundred and thirty-six kegs of gunpowder, for use in 
the war with Great Britain. The following year, on Feb- 
ruary twenty-third, fourteen carpenters and sawyers came 
over from Philadelphia and, near a saw mill on the Monon- 
gahela, fourteen miles above Fort Pitt, built thirty bat- 
teaux which were intended for the transportation of troops. 

[ 89 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Another industry, of which there is an account, was the dis- 
tillery erected here by Jonathan Plummer ' ' previous to the 
year 1770 * * * a short distance above where the ar- 
senal is now located," and it is noted that " in 1770 George 
Washington stopped here and drank some of the whiskey 
made by Mr. Plummer," But boat building continued to be 
the chief industry here and at various points along the 
rivers for som.e years. The inestimable advantages of the 
location at the junction of the Allegheny and Ohio rivers 
were yet undreamed of. Fuel, the costliest and most 
important factor in the process of manufacturing, lay in 
abundance to the south in plain sight of the town. The 
Reverend Charles Beatty noted that coal was used in the 
garrison at Pittsburgh in 1766. " Coal Hill " was burning 
then from a fire caused by careless workmen in the pit. 
But coal seems to have been little thought of for other than 
domestic use for many years after this, and for many years 
after the mention made of it in Arthur Lee's journal in 
1784. It remained for the laws of necessity and commercial 
self preservation to turn it to its greatest use. 

The advantage or facility of transportation, then, to- 
gether with the town's importance as a trading post and 
point of transshipment from a land to a water route, re- 
mained the chief elements in its growth down to the last de- 
cade of the century. The history of the period records 
numerous instances of emigrants on their way west stop- 
ping at Pittsburgh to purchase or build boats for transport 
and to replenish their supplies. The rivers were the great 
highways of travel. The Monongahela was declared open 
to the public in 1782, and the Ohio and Allegheny were de^ 
clared public highways shortly after. Rights were also 
granted for ferries at various points along the rivers. At 
Pittsburgh, William Butler was granted the right, in Sep- 
tember, 1783, to conduct a ferry to Pittsburgh from the 
reserve tract opposite Pittsburgh on the Allegheny. John 
Ormsby was granted a right for a ferry across the Monon- 
gahela in March, 1784. At the same time David Elliot ob- 
tained a similar right for a ferry from Saw Mill Run to the 
opposite bank of the Ohio. In September, 1785, Jacob 
Bausman was granted the right to establish a ferry from 

[ 90 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

the opposite bank of the Monongahela to Pittsburgh, and 
Hugh Ross was granted a right to establish a ferry from 
the south side of the Monongahela to Pittsburgh in 1786. 
This ferry was free to the people of Washington county 
(which then extended to the waters of the Monongahela and 
Ohio, opposite Pittsburgh), during certain hours on Sun- 
days, to enable them to attend divine service in Pittsburgh. 

Among the pioneers who were attracted to Pittsburgh in 
these early years, John Scull and Joseph Hall, the founders 
of the Pittsburgh Gazette, stand in the foreground. John 
Scull, at the time of his arrival, was twenty-one years 
of age. He was descended from a family of Quakers, 
who emigrated from Bristol, England, to Chester, Penn- 
sylvania, in 1665. Scull and Hall were possessed of only 
a small amount of capital, but they fearlessly ventured 
it in the newspaper enterprise with full faith in ultimate 
success. On the twenty-ninth of July, 1786, the first num- 
bers of the Gazette appeared. This was the first news- 
paper published west of the Allegheny mountains. The 
first home of the Gazette was in the rude building situated 
on the corner of Water street and Chancery lane. The 
paper was jDrinted on a Ramage press so small that but one 
page, ten by sixteen inches, could be printed at a time. 
Though the Gazette at this time was only a four-page paper, 
it was a day's work of ten hours to turn out seven hundred 
copies. For about ten years it was necessary to use paper 
manufactured in the East and brought over the mountains 
by the uncertain pack horse or by wagon. Occasionally, 
when the stock ran out, it was necessary to publish the 
issue on cartridge paper borrowed from the garrison. On 
June twenty-fourth, 1797, Mr. Scull announced that it gave 
him great pleasure to acquaint his readers with the fact 
that the Gazette was printed on paper manufactured in the 
western country on Redstone creek (Brownsville), Fayette 
county, by Jackson and Sliarpless. 

In the early numbers appeared the following announce- 
ment: " Printed and sold by John Scull and Joseph Hall, 
at their printing office in Water street, near the Ferry, 
where subscriptions (at seventeen shillings and six pence 
per annum) advertisements, etc., for this paper are thank- 

[ 91 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

fully received, and printing in its different branches is done 
with care, elegance and expedition. Advertisements not 
exceeding one square are inserted three weeks for one 
dollar and every continuance after, one-quarter of a dol- 
lar." 

Joseph Hall did not live to see the Gazette an assured 
success; he died at the age of twenty-one, in November, 
1786, less than four months after the first issue. Jolm 
Boyd succeeded him as partner of Mr. Scull. 

It was evidently the desire of the proprietors of the 
Gazette from the beginning to have the subscriber pay the 
cost of the delivery of his paper. In the issue of August 
thirtieth, 1786, one John Blair wished to inform the inhabi- 
tants on the Monongahela and neighborhood adjoining, that 
he was to pass up and down the said river from Pittsburgh 
to Gastings Ferry, which was thirty-five miles by water, 
every week with a boat: "All persons on or near said river 
who have subscribed for the Pittsburgh Gazette or may 
hereafter subscribe, can have their papers brought to 
them every week at a more reasonable rate than any other 
conveyance and without disappointment." How well John 
Blair performed his part of the contract in the delivery of 
papers is not on record, but that the delivery of papers 
was one of the chief difficulties encountered in the enter- 
prise is certain. Mention was made of it among other 
obstacles to publication in the issue of the paper on its first 
anniversary. It was stated that: " One year has now 
evolved since the publication of this Gazette. The under- 
taking was represented to us to be hazardous, and we have 
found it to be so. The expense of paper at such a distance 
from mills, the wearing of our types, and our own labour, 
is certain and constant. The encouragement of the public 
is fluctuating and uncertain. It does not occur to all that 
they ought to encourage a paper in its infancy, for what it 
may be in future years. The principal difficulty under 
which we have laboured has been the lack of a speedy and 
certain mode of conveyance to our subsccribers. We have 
been at all times careful to seize opportunities of convey- 
ance when they offered, but have been frequently deceived 
by those who have been entrusted by us. A knowledge of 

[ 92 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHAETER 

characters may enable us for the future to judge better 
with whom we may entrust our packets. But it must rest 
with our subscribers themselves in the different neighbor- 
hoods to devise means to have their paper brought to them. 
It will be necessary for those who have been subscribers 
from the commencement of the first publication, to recon- 
tinue their subscriptions by sending the same, stipulated in 
cash or produce." 

The Gazette was a supporter of Washington and the Fed- 
eral party. Apparently the Federal party and principles 
were in need of advocates in Western Pennsylvania at the 
close of the Revolution. Among the earliest articles in the 
Gazette was a description of Pittsburgh by Judge Hugh 
Henry Brackenridge (father of Judge H. M. Brackenridge). 
Judge Brackenridge was born in Scotland, but at an early 
age emigrated with his parents to York county, Pennsyl- 
vania, in the neighborhood of the Susquehanna. Through 
his own efforts he acquired a good education, graduated 
from Princeton College in the same class with Madison and 
Frenean, the poet. Brackenridge studied for the ministry, 
was licensed to preach, but was never ordained, abandoning 
the ministry for the law. In 1781 he came to Pittsburgh, 
and became one of the most prominent lawyers and men 
of the vicinity. The articles mentioned appeared in the 
Gazette, during the year 1786, and were written for the 
purpose of inducing immigration, therefore, some allow- 
ance should be made for the personal interest of the writer. 
They furnish much information as to the early state of 
society and the appearance of Pittsburgh, hence, are given 
at some length. 



** Observations on the Country at the Head of the Ohio 
River, with Digressions on Various Subjects, July 
twenty-ninth, 1786. . 

' ' The Allegheny river running from the northeast and the 
Monongahela from the southwest, meet at an angle of about 
thirty-three degrees and form the Ohio; which is said to 
signify in some of the Indian languages, bloody; so that 

[ 93 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

the Ohio river may be translated, the '' River of Blood." 
The French have called it " La Belle Rivierre." 

' ' It may have received the name Ohio about the beginning 
of the present century, when the Six Nations made war 
upon their fellow savages in these territories and subjected 
several tribes. 

' ' The word Monongahela is said to signify in some of the 
Indian languages, the '^ Falling in Banks," that is, the 
stream of the Falling in, or Mouldering banks. 

''At the distance of about four or five hundred yards from 
from the head of the Ohio, is a small island lying to the 
northwest side of the river at a distance of seventy-five 
yards from the shore. It is covered with wood, and at the 
lowest part is a lofty hill famous for the number of wild 
turkeys which inhabit it. The island is not more in length 
than a quarter of a mile and in breadth about one hundred 
yards. A small space on the upper end is cleared and 
grown with grass. The savages had cleared it during the 
late war, a party of them attached to the United States 
having placed their wigwams and raised corn there. The 
Ohio, at a distance of about one mile from its source, winds 
round the lower end of the island and disappears. I call the 
confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela the source of 
the Ohio. 

''At the head of the Ohio river stands the town of Pitts- 
burgh on an angular piece of ground, the two rivers form- 
ing the two sides of the angle ; on this point stood the old 
IVench fort known by the name of Fort Duquesne, which 
was evacuated and blown up by the French in the campaign 
of the British under General Forbes ; the appearance of the 
ditch and mound, with the salient angles and bastions still 
remain so as to prevent that perfect level of the ground 
which otherwise would exist. 

" Just above these works is the present garrison, built by 
General Stanwix and is said to have cost the Crown of 
Britain sixty thousand pounds. The fortification is regu- 
lar, constructed according to the rules of art. and about 
three years ago put in good repair by General Irvine, who 
commanded at the post. It has the advantage of an ex- 
cellent magazine, built of stone. There is a line of posts 

[ 94 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

below it on the Ohio river, to the distance of three hundred 
miles. The savages come to this place for trade and not 
for war, and any future contest we may have with them 
will be on the heads of the more northern rivers that fall 
into the Mississippi. 

' ' The bank of the Allegheny, on the northwest side of the 
town of Pittsburgh, is planted with an orchard of apple 
trees, with some pear trees intermixed ; these trees are said 
to have been planted by the British officer who commanded 
here early in the first occupation of it by the Crown of Eng- 
land. Near the garrison on the Allegheny bank were 
formerly what was called the King's Artillery Gardens, 
cultivated highly to usefulness and pleasure. 

'^ On the margin of this river once stood a row of houses, 
elegant and neat and not unworthy of the European taste, 
but they were swept away in the course of time, some for 
the purpose of forming an opening to the river from the 
garrison, that the artillery might incommode the approach- 
ing enemy, and, deprived of shelter, some were torn away 
by the fury of the rising river ; these buildings were the re- 
cepticles of the ancient Indian trade, which coming from 
the westward, centered in this quarter, but of these build- 
ings no trace remains; those who twenty years ago saw 
them flourish, can only say, ' here they stood.' 

" On the west side of the Allegheny river, opposite the 
orchard, is a level of three thousand acres, reserved by the 
state to be laid out in lots for the purpose of a town. A 
small stream at right angles to the river passes through 
it. On this ground it is supposed a town may stand, but 
on all hands it is excluded from the praise of being a situa- 
tion so convenient as on the side of the river where the 
present town is situated. 

" This bank is closely set with buildings nearly half a 
mile, and behind this range the town chiefly lies, falling back 
on the plains between the two rivers. To the eastward is 
Grant's Hill; this is the hill and from whence it takes its 
name, where in the war which terminated in the year 1763, 
Grant, advancing with about eight hundred Caledonians or 
Highland Scotch troops, beat a reveille a little after sun- 
rise, to the French garrison who accompanied by a number 

[ 95 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

of savages, sallied out and flanking him unseen from the 
bottom on the left and right, then covered with wood, as- 
cended the hill, tomahawked and cut his troops to pieces 
and made Grant himself prisoner. Bones and weapons 
are yet found on the hill — the bones white with weather 
and the weapons covered with rust. 

' ' On the summit of this hill is a mound of earth, supposed 
to be the ancient burying place of the savages. There can 
be no doubt of this as on opening some of the hills of earth, 
bones are found. In places where stones are plenty these 
mounds are raised of stones and skeletons are found in 
them. 

'' To the northeast of Grant's Hill there is one still higher, 
about a quarter of a mile, which is called the Quarry Hill, 
from the excellent stone quarry that has been opened in it. 
IVom the Quarry Hill you have a view of four or five miles 
of the Allegheny river. Directly opposite on the Mononga- 
hela, to the southeast, stands a hill of the same height and 
appearance, known as Ayre's Hill, so called from a British 
engineer of that name; on this hill was the residence of 
Anthony Thompson, the vestige of whose habitation still 
remains, an extent of ground cleared by him lies to the 
north, accustomed to long cultivation, and now thrown out 
a common. The best brick may be made from this 
ground. 

' ' The town of Pittsburgh consists at present of one hun- 
dred houses ; the inhabitants are about 1,500,* this number 
doubling almost every year from the accession of people 
from abroad and the number bom in town. 

''A clergyman is settled in this town of the Calvinist 
church. Some of the inhabitants are of the Lutheran or 
Episcopal church, but the distinction is brought little into 
view. 

''A clergyman of the German Calvinist church also oc- 
casionally preaches in this town and it is expected from the 
increase of German inhabitants that a clergyman who can 
deliver himself in this language will in a short time be sup- 

* Isaac Craig in his "History of Pittsburgh" says: "This estimate « * * 
is a most extravagant one, being about fifteen to a house, which is incredible. 
* * *" Judge Brackenridge doubtless had in mind the total population of the 
town and adjacent territory. 

[ 96 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

ported here altogether. In laying out the town of Pitts- 
burgh five lots have been assigned for churches and for bury- 
ing grounds ; these comprehend the former burying ground 
and which is adjoining to the ancient cemetery of the na- 
tives, being one of those mounds before mentioned, and 
which from the height of earth in this place would seem 
to have been a place of sepulchre for ages. These lots are 
about the center of the town as it is laid out and at an in- 
termediate distance between the two rivers. A church is 
on the way to be built of squared timber and moderate 
dimensions which may accommodate the people until a 
larger building can be erected. 

' ' In this town we have also two gentlemen of the medical 
faculty, one a native of South Britain (Dr. Nathaniel Bed- 
ford) the other a native of America (Dr. Thomas Parker), 
but though health may be counted a birth right of this place 
we account these gentlemen a great acquisition. I will 
not take the liberty of saying anything with respect to the 
respective merits or professional abilities of these gentle- 
men, but I will answer for it that if individuals or families 
at any time should think it advisable to cross the mountains 
and spend a few months at Pittsburgh for the sake of 
health they will find it in their power to receive the best 
advice that science can afford and the most judicious treat- 
ment. 

" There are also two of the profession of the law (Judge 
Brackenridge and John Woods) resident in this town; the 
bulk of the inhabitants are traders, mechanics and laborers ; 
of mechanics and laborers there is still a great want, 
masons and carpenters are especially wanted, indeed from 
this circumstance the improvement of the town and build- 
ings is greatly retarded. This town in future time will be 
a place of great manufactory. Indeed the greatest on the 
continent, or perhaps in the world. The present carriage 
from Philadelphia is six pence for each pound weight and 
however improved the conveyance may be, and by what- 
ever channel, yet such is our distance from either of the 
oceans that the importation of heavy articles will still be 
expensive. The manufacturing them will therefore be- 
come more an object here than elsewhere. It is a prospect 
7 [ 97 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

of this with men of reflection which renders the soil of this 
place so valuable. 

** The situation of the town of Pittsburgh is greatly to be 
chosen for a seat of learning, the fine air, the excellent 
water, the plenty and cheapness of provisions, render it 
highly favorable. The inhabitants have entertained the 
idea of instituting an academy, but have it not in their 
power all at once to accomplish every wish. Public spirit 
is not more apparent amongst any people but it is impos- 
sible to answer every demand which a thousand wants of 
those settling a new country require. The first efforts 
have been made to accommodate themselves with lots of 
ground, with buildings and the common means of life, next 
to establish and support a Christian church, in a short 
time more conveniently they may be able to attend to that 
great object, the education of youth, one or two schools 
are established to teach the first elements, but it is greatly 
desirable that there be such which can conduct to more ad- 
vancement in science. It is provided by our Constitution 
that public schools be erected in every county. Agreeable 
to this provision it may be expedient that the Legislature 
establish schools in each county, either by an appropriation 
of something from the public funds, or by special county 
tax, nevertheless, I am disposed to be of the opinion that it 
would better answer the object that a few schools, well en- 
dowed, be established throughout the State where men of 
superior academic knowledge may find it advisable to re- 
main a number of years or for life." 

There can be no question of the value to Pittsburgh of 
these letters of Judge Brackenridge. The town had already 
attracted considerable attention in the East, as has been 
noted, and his efforts through the Gazette accelerated the 
flow of settlers, not only to Pittsburgh, but to Ohio and 
Kentucky. 

In the same year that Brackenridge 's letters appeared, 
Pittsburghers were rid of the inconvenience of trusting 
their letters to casual travellers. The effort of Isaac 
Craig, which resulted in failure to establish a post-rider 
between the east and west in 1784, was again taken up with 
aid from Philadelphia and accomplished. In the Gazette 

[ 98 ] 




FIKST PITTSBUEGH POST OFFICE AND FIRST HOME OF THE GAZETTE. 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

of September thirtieth, 1786, the following appeared: 
'^ Extract from a letter dated Philadelphia, September 
fourteenth, 1786. * Mr. Brison has just returned from New 
York with orders to establish a post from this place to 
Pittsburgh, and one from Virginia to Bedford, the two to 
meet at Bedford, from whence one will proceed to Pitts- 
burgh.' " The next year the Post-office Department pub- 
lished this notice in the same paper: " Post-office, March 
second, 1787, Philadelphia. Notice is hereby given that in 
consequence of a contract entered into for that purpose 
there will shortly be a regular communication by post be- 
tween the town of Alexandria in Virginia, and Pittsburgh 
in this State, by the route of Newgate, Leesburgh, Win- 
chester, Fort Cmnberland and Bedford. The mail will be 
carried weekly from May first to November first, and once 
a fortnight the remainder of the year. This establishment 
will take place as soon as the necessary arrangements can 
be made. If any person inclines to form a more direct 
communication between this city (Philadelphia) and Fort 
Pitt by carrying the mail regularly from this office to Bed- 
ford so as to tally with the Virginia post, that route may be 
contracted for upon advantageous terms, as the exclusive 
privilege of carrying letters and packets for here between 
this city and Bedford, and all the emoluments arising there- 
from, will be granted for any term, not exceeding seven 
years, to any person undertaking the business at his own 
expense and giving satisfactory security for performance." 
The first Postmaster of Pittsburgh was John Scull, of the 
Gazette. The post-office and the Gazette plant were in the 
same building, which was located on Water street, near 
Ferry. Mr. Scull served as Postm^aster for seven years, or 
until 1794, when George Adams was appointed to succeed 
him. Some idea of the business done at this office may be 
gained from the postage receipts which amounted to 
$110.99 for the year ending October first, 1790, three years 
after its establishment. The rates of postage were as fol- 
lows : Single letters carried any distance up to and includ- 
ing forty-eight miles, 12 cents; forty-one to ninety miles, 
inclusive, 15 cents; ninety-one to one hundred and fifty 
miles, 18% cents; one hundred and fifty-one to three hun- 

[ 99 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

dred miles, 25^2 cents; three hundred and one to five hun- 
dred miles, 37^/^ cents. Double letters (two sheets) double 
rates ; triple letters, triple rates ; letters weighing one ounce 
or more, 12 cents for each quarter ounce. Newspapers, 1^2 
cents each up to a distance of one hundred miles if not 
carried out of the State; if carried out of the State for a 
distance of over one hundred miles, 214 cents. Magazines 
and pamphlets were carried for about the same rate. 

Among other public improvements of this period, may be 
mentioned the establishment of a Market House. At a 
meeting of the inhabitants of Pittsburgh, held Tuesday, 
March first, 1787, Messrs. Hugh Ross, Stephen Bayard and 
Reverend Samuel Barr were appointed a committee to pro- 
pose a plan for the erection of a Market House. On the 
twelfth of March the committee met the people in the Public 
Square, where the Pittsburgh Market is now situated, to 
report. As the result of this meeting, a Market House was 
erected at what is now Second avenue and Market street. 
The Market House was later removed near the Court House 
on what is now Market street, between Fourth and Fifth 
avenues. The nature and extent of Pittsburgh's mercantile 
enterprises at this time can best be indicated by a few se- 
lections of the numerous advertisements which appeared 
in the Gazette. 

' ' Just received from Philadelphia and to be sold by Wil- 
son and Wallace, at their store in Water street, next to Mr. 
David Duncan's Tavern, the following goods, which they 
will dispose of at the most reasonable terms for good mer- 
chantable flour, beef, cattle, butter or cash: 

*' Superfine, second and coarse broadcloths, corduroys, 
velvets and velverets, best beaver fustian, best beaver pil- 
low, cotton denims, jeans of the first quality, dimities, mar- 
seilles quilting, satinets of all kinds, fine Irish and coarse 
linens of the best quality, cambrics, lawns and muslins, 
gauzes of all kinds, common fustians, striped holland, coffee 
mills, Testaments, Bibles, spelling books and primers. A 
general assortment of pewter dishes, plates, etc. Best In- 
dian and Roman handerkerchiefs. Ribbons of all kinds, 
colored threads of all kinds; chintz of the best quality, 
calico of different kinds; stamped cotton and cross bar 

[ 100 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

handkerchiefs; flannels; groceries of all kinds; cross cut 
saws; carpenter's and wheel-wright 's axes; waggoners' 
tools ; women's shoes and shoe heels ; dust and shoe brushes ; 
wool cards ; flint ware of all kinds ; wafers, sealing wax, and 
ink powder; writing paper and inkstands; desk furniture; 
saddlery of different kinds, sewing silk ; scissors, thimbles, 
(men's and women's) fur and wool hats, black and white; 
sickles and scythes; nankeens; powder, lead, and salt; with 
many articles too tedious to enumerate." 

" John and Samuel Calhoun. 

** At the house of Andrew Watson, Front street, Russia 
sheeting, white thread and Cotton stockings, Delft and 
queensware; blankets and rugs; silk stockings, silk worsted 
and kid gloves for women, men's beaver gloves; a quantity 
of books of different kinds ; hatters trimmings of all kinds ; 
flowered, striped and bordered lawn ; velvet bindings ; also 
a large assortment of castings of every kind ; sugar, coffee, 
chocolate, tea, nutmegs, pepper, with a variety of other 
articles too tedious to mention, all of which they will sell on 
the lowest terms, for cash, flour, rye, bacon, ginseng, snake- 
root, deer skins, furs and all kinds of certificates." 

" September first, 1787. 

'* Just opened for sale by David Kennedy, at Mr. John 
Ormsby 's in Pittsburgh, the following goods, which he will 
sell on the most reasonable terms for cash, country produce 
or Ginseng: 

*' Superfine and second broad-cloths, coarse ditto, Half 
Thicks, Marseilles quilting, chintzes and calicoes, moreens 
and durants, striped and plain crapes, Irish linen. Satins 
and modes, plain and spotted lawns, gauze cambrics, cordu- 
roys, velvets and plush, men's and women's cotton and 
worsted hose, men's and women's gloves and mitts, ribbons 
of different kinds, sewing silk, fine and coarse threads, 
ridding and small combs, cups and saucers, tumblers and 
other glasses, knives and forks, shoe and knee buckles, but- 
tons of various kinds, snuffers, an assortment of saddlerj'- 
ware, carpenter's tools, bar iron, fine and coarse salt, with 
a variety of other articles too tedious to enumerate. 

[ 101 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

" N. B. A good saddle horse to be sold. Enquire as 
above. ' ' 

Other tradesmen advertising in the Gazette prior to 1790, 
were : William Hawting, clockmaker ; Gregg & Barker, sil- 
versmiths, Front street; also James Poupard, silversmith, 
in Second street; George McGunegle, Market street; he ad- 
vertised grates, polished and unpolished, andirons, shovels, 
tongs, and various hardware ; John and Daniel Craig, hat- 
ters; M. Curtis, hatter; Daniel Britt & Co., general store; 
Charles RieJiards, bakery; Colonel John Gibson, tavern on 
the river bank, ' ' Dry & Wet Goods ; ' ' John Wilkins & Co., 
general store; William Tilton & Co.; William and Thomas 
Greenough; Gray and Forbes; John and William Ii^win; 
William Braden and Thomas Wylie; Alexander and Wil- 
liam Fowler; Adamson and Josiah Tannehill; Elliott Wil- 
liams & Co.; Blair, Wilkins & Co. and, of course, Craig, 
Bayard & Co., and Gen. James O'Hara, who were among 
the first merchants of the town. The Gazette office itself 
was headquarters for the numerous legal blanks in demand 
at the time — all of which were printed by Scull and Boyd 
— spelling books ; The A. B. C. ivith the Shorter Catechism; 
and, in 1788, " The Pittsburgh Almanac, or Western 
Ephemeris." 

Abreast of Pittsburgh's advance in the sterner walks of 
life is to be found the commencement of her career along 
educational ways, which to-day is blossoming in such rich- 
ness, surpassing that of any industrial city in the world. 
On the twenty-eighth of February, 1787, largely through the 
efforts of Hon. H. H. Brackenridge, the Pennsylvania As- 
sembly enacted a law incorporating the Pittsburgh Academy, 
naming as trustees. Reverends Samuel Barr, James Finley, 
Jaines Powers, John McMillan, Joseph Smith and Matthew 
Henderson ; General John Gibson, Colonels Presley Neville, 
William Butler and Stephen Bayard ; Messrs. David Brad- 
ford, James Ross, Robert Galbraith, Geo. Thompson, Geo. 
Wallace, Edw. Cook, John Moore, William Todd, A. Lowry, 
and Doctors Nathaniel Bedford and Thomas Parker. The 
organization and growth of this and other educational in- 
stitutions merits more space than can be given here ; hence 
the subject will be left with these few words to be taken up 

[ 102 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

under a separate heading further on. In passing, mention 
should be made of the successful attempt of John Boyd of 
the Gazette, in 1788, to establish a circulating library, in 
response to his announcement in the Gazette of July twenty- 
sixth, 1788, that as soon as one hundred subscribers could be 
procured, a circulating library would be opened in the town ; 
the library to consist of five hundred well chosen books to 
be loaned to subscribers on terms of twenty shillings per 
annum. 

Previous to September twenty-fourth, 1788, Pittsburgh 
was in Westmoreland county. Out of Westmoreland 
county, which was originally the largest county in Western 
Pennsylvania, had been erected in 1781, Washington 
county, comprising all the territory west of the Mononga- 
hela river, and, in 1783, Fayette county, comprising the ter- 
ritory between the Monongahela and Youghiogheny. By 
the Act of Assembly, September twenty-fourth, 1788, Alle- 
gheny county was erected out of parts of Westmoreland and 
Washington counties. In 1789, an additional portion of 
Washington county was annexed, and on the third day of 
March, 1792, the Governor of Pennsylvania purchased up- 
wards of two hundred thousand acres of the United States, 
on Lake Erie, for $151,740.25, Continental money, thus giv- 
ing the State and the county a port on the great lakes. 
Some idea of the size of Allegheny county, after these ad- 
ditions were made, may be gained from the fact that when 
the county was reduced to its present size in 1800, out of it 
were erected the counties of Beaver, Butler, Mercer, Craw- 
ford, Erie, Warren, Venango, Armstrong and part of In- 
diana and Clarion. Allegheny county is irregular in out- 
line, about twenty-six miles in diameter, with an area of 
seven hundred and fifty-four square miles or four hundred 
eighty-two thousand, five hundred and sixty acres. 

In the early numbers of the Gazette, Judge Brackenridge 
forcibly draws attention to the great inconvenience caused 
the inhabitants of Pittsburgh and vicinity by having to at- 
tend court at Hannastown, the county seat of Westmore- 
land county, situated about three miles northeast of what 
is now Greensburgh, the distance from Pittsburgh being 
thirty miles, and it was largely through his influence that 
the Act of September twenty-fourth, 1788, was passed. 

[ 103 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

The first court in the Western Pennsylvania country was 
held at Hannastown, April sixth, 1773. William Crawford 
was the presiding judge. Judge Crawford had long been a 
justice of the peace, residing on the Youghiogheny, opposite 
the present site of Connellsville. In 1775, during the 
boundary dispute, Judge Crawford was removed because 
he sided with Virginia. As Colonel Crawford, heading an 
expedition against the Indians on the Sandusky, he was 
killed. He was also a personal friend of Washington. A 
jail was ordered built by the court of April sixth, 1773. It 
was constructed of rough logs, and all prisoners, regardless 
of race, color or condition, were confined together. Court 
was held at the public house of Robert Hanna, in a small 
room where nearly all stood, save the judges, who occupied 
hickory chairs mounted on a rude bench. The courts did 
not accomplish much during the Revolution, as the laws 
here, as elsewhere, were but laxly enforced. Only one con- 
stable, a Pittsburgher, was present at the October court of 
1781. Courts were held at Hannastown until October, 1786. 
The first court held at Greensburg was in January, 1787. 

Virginia held the first courts at Pittsburgh, February 
twenty-first, 1775, and the succeeding few years, during the 
regime of Lord Dunmore as Governor of Virginia, when 
Virginia claimed the territory between the Allegheny and 
Monongahela rivers, and adjacent thereto. The usual modes 
of punishment of the period were inflicted on the guilty, ac- 
cording to the offense against the law. Some were fined, 
some whipped, confined in the pillory or stocks ; others had 
their ears cropped or were branded; murderers were 
hanged ; scolds and minor offenders were ducked in the river 
at the Point by means of a ducking stool erected in Feb- 
ruary, 1775. 

By an Act of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, 
March twelfth, 1783, a tract of land, three thousand acres 
in extent and rectangular, was surveyed along the north 
shore of the Allegheny in 1785 to provide for the redemp- 
tion of the certificates of depreciation issued to the officers 
and soldiers of the Pennsylvania line, and to fulfil the 
State's promise of 1780 to donate lands to them. 

On September eleventh, 1787, the Supreme Executive 

[ 104 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

Council of Pennsylvania ordered this reserve tract, ' ' oppo- 
site Pittsburgh," to be surveyed and laid out in lots and 
exposed for sale, reserving a generous section for State 
and public purposes, such as a court house, goal and market 
house, for places of public worship and burying the dead, 
and a common of pasture of one hundred acres. The survey 
was made early in 1788. This was the actual beginning of 
"Alleghanytown," and among the earliest realty holders 
were Richard and William Butler, James Robinson and 
Daniel Elliott. 

But the court house and county seat were not destined to 
be located on that side of the river, as provided by the Act of 
1788, erecting the county. The topography was extremely 
uninviting, according to David Redick's report to the Su- 
preme Council of Pennsylvania in February, 1788, relative 
to the sale of lots in the tract, and meanwhile, the Pitts- 
burghers were advocating the erection of the county build- 
ings in Pittsburgh, and upon their petition a subsequent act 
was passed April thirteenth, 1791, repealing that part of the 
act authorizing the trustees therein named to erect the court 
house and gaol on the reserved tract opposite Pittsburgh. 
Section II. empowered George Wallace, Devereux Smith, 
William Elliott, Jacob Baufman and John Wilkins, or any 
three of them, " to purchase and take assurance in the name 
of the commonwealth for the use and benefit of the county 
of Allegheny, of some convenient piece of ground in the said 
town of Pittsburgh, and thereupon to erect a court house 
and prison, sufficient for the public purposes of the said 
county." The act also authorized them to draw on the 
County Commissioners for the necessary sum of money; 
also, until the county buildings could be built, they were 
authorized to rent a convenient building for a court house 
and jail at the expense of the county. The court house 
was erected on the Diamond, on the west side of Market 
street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, where the Pitts- 
burgh Market now is. The structure was of brick, and con- 
sisted of a main building with two wings, the central part 
having two stories. The court room occupied the ground 
floor of the main building and was paved with brick. This 
room was adorned with Corinthian columns, which served 

[ 105 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

as a support to the floor above. The judge's bench faced 
the main entrance which was on Market street. The wing 
towards Fifth street (now Fifth avenue), contained the 
offices of the Register, Recorder and Sheriff, while the 
Treasurer and Commissioner occupied the other wing. The 
architect was Henry Perry, of whom nothing further can be 
learned than that he spent his latter days as a farmer in 
the vicinity of Pittsburgh. The builders were George Rob- 
inson, carpenter ; William Gray, brick mason, and William 
Watson, builder of the stone steps. The date of the erection 
of Allegheny county's first court house ranges in the various 
accounts extant, most of which are modem, from 1789 to 
1799. From the evidence accessible it was not completed 
imtil the latter date, although it may have been begun very 
late in 1795 or in 1796. According to Section II. of the Act 
of April thirteenth, 1791, authorizing the erection of a court 
house in Pittsburgh, the Commissioners were empowered to 
rent a convenient building for a court house and jail at the 
expense of the county until the county building could be 
erected. According to the most reliable account, courts 
were held in the second story of Andrew Watson's house 
on First street, one door from Market, for several years, 
beginning in December, 1788, when the first court of Quarter 
Sessions was held, and was known as the " Court House." 
The same account states that in 1796 the court house build- 
ing was in '' progress of erection in the Diamond on a 
line with the western side of Market street * * * two 
wings of one-story offices for the use of the Sheriff, Regis- 
ter and Recorder, and other county officers, were occupied 
early in 1796, but the central building, or court house 
proper, was not completed until the close of 1799." Ac- 
cording to one of the early numbers of the Gazette, Ebenezer 
Denny received in 1801, $202.64 for the court house bell, 
*' including irons for hanging it and carriage from Phila- 
delphia, ' ' and Henry Perry, $36.63 ' ' for making wheel and 
frame for court house bell and erecting bell in belfry of 
court house. ' ' In the Record Book of the Town Council of 
Pittsburgh, there are minutes of a meeting held October 
third, 1795, in which a motion was made by John Wilkins, 
Sr., and seconded as follows: " Will the Borough permit 

[ 106 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

the erection of a court house in the centre of the Public 
Square; after some consideration the yeas and nays being 
called for, it was carried in the affirmative by a very great 
majority." From this evidence there hardly seems to be 
any other date than the above possible for the erection or 
completion of the court house, especially as it was con- 
structed of brick, and building in those days was not prose- 
cuted at the speed of to-day. 

The first court house was for many years the pride of this 
section, although it suffered much from vandalism ; its steps 
served as a favored resort for the ' ' gentlemen of the pave- 
ment " much as does its successor on Grant's Hill to-day. 

Occasionally, going from the sublime to the ridiculous, it 
was used as the village theatre where " Punch and Judy," 
*' The Babes in the Woods," etc., were exhibited; feats on 
tight and slack rope were performed, and dramas, farces 
and comic operas were given, principally by local talent. 

The first jail stood on the corner of Fourth street (now 
Fourth avenue) and Market street. Between 1817 and 
1820 it was replaced by a square two-story stone structure 
situated on '' Jail alley " (now Decatur street), back of the 
old court house. The third jail was built in 1843. 

Although the public buildings in the early days were 
humble in appearance, those who officiated in them lent 
dignity to the surroundings by virtue of their talents. The 
opinion of Judge H. M. Brackenridge (son of Judge H. H. 
Brackenridge, an eminent member of the county bar at that 
time), that the men who composed the bench and bar of 
that day were * ' few in number but mighty in ability ' ' can 
be confirmed by investigation. They were, in fact, with few 
exceptions, men of power and cultivation. To belong to the 
legal profession in that period of the Republic was indeed 
an honor and deemed of social consequence. A greater re- 
gard was then felt for the learned profession, especially 
when invested with the judicial ermine. When the judges 
of Nisi Prius and Oyer and Terminer of the old days came 
once a year on the circuit, they were met with no little pomp 
and parade. They were greeted by the leading gentry and 
lawyers, marshaled by the High Sheriff ; not in coaches, for 
the reason that coaches were not then in use in Western 

[ 107 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Pennsylvania, but upon horse-back. Moreover, it is said 
that when Justices McKean and Bryan held the first court 
of Oyer and Terminer in Pittsburgh they sat in scarlet 
robes. The judges did not, however, wear gowns or enor- 
mous wigs, but were carefully dressed in black coats and 
knee breeches with cocked hat, and, in going to and from tbe 
court, they were preceded by the High Sheriff bearing a 
long white wand. The procession, accompanied by the rat- 
tling of a drum, was given something of a martial char- 
acter and produced an imposing effect upon the populace. 

The members of the Allegheny County Bar, prominent 
during the end of the eighteenth and the beginning of the 
nineteenth century, were, with few exceptions, men with 
college education. Alexander Addison was a graduate of 
Edinburgh University; Judge Brackenridge, the elder, of 
Princeton; Thomas Collins, of Trinity College, Dublin; 
William Wilkins, of Dickinson College ; Henry Baldwin, of 
Yale, and so the list could be extended. 

After the adoption of the Constitution of the United 
States and the passage of the Ordinance for the Govern- 
ment of the North West Territory, in 1787, there began that 
increasing tide of emigration to the west which lasted so 
many years and secured to Pittsburgh a constantly expand- 
ing market for her products and stores. The town was still 
small, but it had its newspapers, post-office, market places, 
clergymen and places for worship, and provision had been 
made for an educational institution ; it was the county seat, 
a manufacturing town in a small way, and the principal 
depot on the great thoroughfare from east to west. 

In the Spring of 1788, when General Rufus Putnam with 
his little band of forty-nine New England pioneers floated 
down the Monongahela in the May Flower from Robbstown 
(now West Newton) , on their way to take up their purchases 
on the Ohio, at what is now Marietta, they stopped at Pitts- 
burgh on the third of April to lay in a supply of provisions. 
The number of inhabitants of the town was four or five 
hundred, according to the account of the voyage of the 
May Flower given by Dr. Hildredth of Marietta. Niles 
Register gives the number of houses in the year 1786 as 
thirty-eight and the number of stores five, so, allowing for 

[ 108 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

the two years ' growth from 1786 to 1788, the estimate given 
in Dr. Hildreth's account appears reasonable, and compels 
us to disregard Judge Brackenridge's estimate of fifteen 
hundred made in 1786. 

From this time the town grew faster. One of the bene- 
ficial effects of the Whiskey Insurrection was, that many 
of the soldiers of General Lee's army, which had been 
ordered to Pittsburgh in November, 1794, staid or came 
back from the Eastern States with their families and 
friends who had learned of the advantages to settlers at 
Pittsburgh. 

Routes of transportation too, were, in a measure, im- 
proved, though with very little aid from the State. The 
Act of September, 1785, appropriating $10,000.00 for a 
State road from Miller's Spring, in Cumberland county, to 
Pittsburgh was practically all that was done for this end of 
the State until the Act of 1791, providing for the ex- 
penditure of $2,500.00 on the road from Bedford to Pitts- 
burgh. During the session of 1791-92 there was also 
passed a bill providing for a road from Philadelphia to 
Lancaster. This was the beginning of the road projected 
in 1787 to extend from the Schuylkill to Lancaster, and 
from there to the State road, which began at Miller's 
Spring and extended to Pittsburgh. The first road to 
Pittsburgh was the old Braddock road, known as Nema- 
colin's or Gist's Trail, until General Braddock passed over 
it, on his ill-fated march of 1755, when it became known as 
Braddock 's Route. This road, or a part of it, was eventually 
abandoned for the more direct route through Brownsville 
and Uniontown. Following this, the southern route, via 
Bedford, and the northern route, via Ebensburg and the old 
Kittanning Trail, were opened. Other roads connected 
Pittsburgh with the Lake Erie country, the Ohio country, 
and the West Virginia country. So in the last years of the 
century, all roads, such as they were, led to or towards 
Pittsburgh. The long trains of from ten to twenty pack 
horses slowly gave way to the famous Conestoga wagons 
as a means of transportation. Merchandise was carried 
over the mountains by this method to the extent of over 
sixty loads in a year as early as 1784, and in 1790 there 

[ 109 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

were six wagons making regular trips to Pittsburgh from 
the east, exchanging their goods for products of the west 
for the return trip. But a great bulk of merchandise still 
arrived on pack horses from Shippensburg, or Chambers- 
burg, Pennsylvania, and Winchester, Virginia, it having 
been transferred from wagons at these points. It took 
about a month to make the trip all the way by wagon over 
the southern route from Hagerstown, Maryland, to Pitts- 
burgh. Freight rates ranged from five to six dollars per 
hundred pounds, and whenever opportunity offered, the 
drivers were extortionate in their charges which sometimes 
amounted to $250.00 per trip both ways. It actually cost, 
as late as 1814, $140.00 to move a ton of freight from Phila- 
delphia to Pittsburgh. The roads were rough and dan- 
gerous. Efforts to make them better availed but little as 
the settlers in the western countr}'^ were too poor to pay 
taxes for turnpikes. However, the conditions influencing 
Pittsburgh were destined to evolve it rapidly into an in- 
dependent trade center and the manufacturing metropolis 
of the west. Counterbalancing the difficult and costly trans- 
portation from the east was the advantage of a location at 
the head of an unparalleled route of water transportation 
to the great belt of territory to the west, stretching from 
Canada on the north to the Gulf of Mexico on the south. 
This constituted Pittsburgh a natural market and point of 
transshipment. The barrier of mountains to the east neces- 
sitated the establishment of manufactories at the place 
where the goods were needed for both consumption and 
shipment. And there were courageous men of farsighted- 
ness who looked into the future and embarked their all in 
the lines of industry which have cliaracterized Pittsburgh 
for more than a century. Some of these men were already 
here; others came, one by one, in the next few years, and 
they were quick to see the enormous advantage of an inex- 
haustible and easily accessible supply of fuel to apply to 
the transformation of the raw materials of nature, and 
they located with confidence in the basis of the bituminous 
coal formation of Western Pennsylvania. But the task of 
establishing manufactories for the heavier articles of com- 
merce was not easy, and there was very little manufactur- 

[ 110 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

ing west of the mountains of any but the simpler articles 
from raw material. At the end of the thirty-four years, 
from 1758 to 1792, that Pittsburgh had been under the con- 
trol of the English and the Americans there were enu- 
merated, according to an account in the " American Mu- 
seum " of March, 1792: " 1 Clock and Watch Maker, 2 
Coopers, 1 Skin Dreiser and Breeches Maker, 2 Tanners 
and Curriers, 4 Cabinet Makers, 2 Hatters, 2 Weavers, 5 
Blacksmiths, 5 Shoemakers, 3 Saddlers, 1 Malster and 
Brewer, 2 Tinners, 3 Wheelwrights, 1 Stocking-weaver, 1 
Ropemaker, 2 Whitesmiths; Total, 36 Mechanics," and 
" 130 families," making a population of six hundred and 
fifty, allowing five to a family. The ropemaker mentioned 
was Hugh Ross who began this industry here in 1786. This 
particular rope-walk is also of historical interest, because 
the greater part of the rigging for Commodore Perry 'si 
fleet, on Lake Erie, in the War of 1812, was furnished by 
this manufactory. Among this rigging there were two four 
and one-half inch cables, each weighing about four thou- 
sand pounds. There is also record of several other indus- 
tries of that year and the half dozen preceding years. 
There were saw mills and boat yards in the immediate 
neighborhood. Daniel Elliott's saw mill was in operation a 
mile below the point in 1788. At the same time Jacob Hay- 
maker was building boats, '' broad horns," etc., on property 
rented from John Ormsby in 1783 on the south side of the 
Monongahela. John Perry, Turnbull Marmie & Co., and 
Alexander Craik were also in the boat building business. 
Colonel Stephen Bayard built boats on the Youghiogheny 
at what is now Elizabeth, which was settled by Colonel 
Bayard in 1786. Adamson Tannehill was a vintner; John 
Ormsby, a brick manufacturer; Isaac Craig, a distiller; 
Thomas Chambers, a saddler; Freeman & Severen, cabinet 
makers and upholsterers ; Andrew Mclntyre, Windsor chair 
maker; Marmaduke Curtis, hat manufacturer; and John 
Blackburn, hat manufacturer; etc., etc. In addition several 
blacksmiths and whitesmiths plied their trade here ; George 
McGunigle and Thomas Wylie were blacksmiths and white- 
smiths; William Dunning and Hugh Rippey were also ex- 
pert mechanics. Rippey was a gunsmith and Dunning made 

[ 111 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

steel tools and other implements. Many of the various 
kinds of implements and tools, nails, etc., used in the west- 
ern country in those days were made entirely by hand at 
Pittsburgh. The first nails made by machinery in the 
vicinity of Pittsburgh were made by Jacob Bowman, in his 
factory at Brownsville, in 1795. The machinery was pro- 
pelled by foot power. McGrunigle was here in 1787, but it 
is improbable that he was the first blacksmith or ironworker, 
as there had been need for this class of mechanic here pre- 
vious to that date ; and bar iron from Eastern Pennsylvania 
had long been a part of the early traders' and merchants' 
stock in trade, although it was very expensive. 

It will be seen from the above records that the materials 
used by the various manufacturers were, in the main, either 
obtainable on the ground or were easy of transport from 
the east. The most important exception was iron. Owing 
to the rapidly increasing demand, this metal remained 
expensive and search for it on the western slope of the 
Alleghenies had been going on for several years. The 
earliest discovery dates back to the year 1780 when Colonel 
AVilliam Crawford, surveyor of ' ' Yohogania ' ' county, Vir- 
ginia, which included all the northern and northeastern 
part of Fayette county, made an entry in his survey book 
on July eleventh, as follows : * ' No. 32 — State Warrants : 
Benjamin Johnson produced a State warrant from the Land 
Office for five hundred acres of land, dated the twelfth of 
May, 1780 — No. 4926. Sixty acres thereof he locates on a 
big spring in the Allegheny and Laurel Hills, on the waters 
of the Mongalia — and one hundred and fifty acres of said 
warrant he locates on land of said hills ; where an old dead- 
ening and Sugar Camp was made by Mr. Chr. Harrison, 
situate on the waters of Yohogania, to include a hank of 
iron ore." This record is still extant. Following this, ac- 
cording to Swank's " Iron in All Ages," was the discovery 
of " blue lump " iron ore by one John Hayden of Fayette 
county, in 1790, from which he made on a smith's fire a 
piece of iron '* about as big as a harrow tooth." Taking 
the sample on horseback to Philadelphia he enlisted his 
relative, John Nicholson of that city, in a scheme for build- 
ing a furnace and forge at Haydentown on George 's Creek, 

[ 112 ] 



BEFORE THE CIT^ CHAKTER 

about seven miles south of Uniontown. Mr. Austin M. 
HuDgerford (an historian of Fayette county) says, that a 
bloomary was built by this firm in 1792, but that they never 
built a furnace. The first furnace was that of TurubuU 
and Marmie, built in the years 1789-90, together with a 
forge on Jacob's Creek, about two miles from where it 
emptied into the Youghiogheny river. The furnace was 
blown in on the first of November, 1790. These works were 
called the Alliance Iron Works, and they supplied Pitts- 
burgh with quantities of iron — -kettles, skiilets, dutch 
ovens, bar iron, etc. There is, too, record of four hundred 
six-pound shot ordered at these works in January, 1792, by 
Major Isaac Craig for use at Fort Pitt, and in General 
Wayne's Expedition against the Indians in the Ohio 
country. From this time on, for more than half a century, 
the counties of Center, Huntingdon, Fayette, Westmore- 
land, Somerset, Cambria, Indiana, Beaver, Blair, Lawrence, 
Butler, Armstrong, Clarion and Venango, furnished Pitts- 
burgh with the bulk of the material for iron manufactures. 
The earliest iron making in Allegheny county, or in the 
immediate vicinity of Pittsburgh, began in the year 1792, 
when a furnace was built by George Anshutz at Shady Side 
at about what is now the Pennsylvania Railroad and the 
Shady Side Station. Mr. Anshutz was an Alsacian by birth, 
born November twenty-eighth, 1753. His knowledge of the 
manufacturing of iron was gained from his management of 
a foundry near Strasburg. He came to the United States 
in 1789, and, shortly after, to Pittsburgh. 

The furnace at Shady Side was practically a failure, and 
was abandoned, probably in 1794, on account of the high 
cost of ore. The hills in the neighborhood contained 
scarcely any ; consequently Anshutz was compelled to trans- 
port it, at a great expense, from the Kiskiminetas region by 
boat on the Allegheny river to Pittsburgh, thence to the 
furnace by wagon. Also, some was brought from the 
vicinity of Fort Ligonier, Westmoreland county. After the 
abandonment of the Shady Side furnace, Mr. Anshutz took 
charge of John Probst's Westmoreland furnace at Laugh- 
linstown, remaining there a year when he removed to Hunt- 
ingdon county and built Huntingdon furnace, in 1796, in con- 
8 [ 113 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

nection with Judge John Gloninger and Mordecai Massey. 
In 1808 he became the owner of one-fourth interest in the 
business. Here he remained during practically the balance 
of his life. Retiring at eighty, he moved to Pittsburgh 
where he died at the age of eighty-three years, February 
twenty-eighth, 1837. 

The failure of Anshutz at Shadyside ended the attempts 
to establish furnaces in Pittsburgh for many years, the 
manufacturers being content to accept ihe product of the 
surrounding counties. These early discoveries of iron ore 
and erection of furnaces and forges, while not in the closest 
proximity to Pittsburgh, were, immediate enough to give an 
added impetus to the growth of the town. Nearly all that 
was manufactured in the busy Fayette and Westmoreland 
counties region, from the simplest of household utensils to 
the large sugar kettles for the Louisiana country, found its 
way to Pittsburgh first. It was the logical first market for 
both the manufacturer and the consumer. 

With all the advantages, both natural and acquired, which 
have been recounted in the foregoing pages, it was inevita- 
ble that the town should grow rapidly, and that the inhab- 
itants, merchants and manufacturers should' seek better 
facilities for the transaction of business and better protec- 
tion to life and property; hence the next step* forward was 
the incorporation of Pittsburgh into a Borough by Act of 
Assembly, passed the twenty-second of April, 1794. There 
is evidence extant of an effort made two years previous to 
this date for a corporation or township government. In 
the first book of Minutes of the Court of Quarter Ses- 
sions of Allegheny county is recorded " a prayer of a peti- 
tion made by a number of the inhabitants- of Pittsburgh " 
for a division of Pitt township, erecting therefrom ' ' a new 
township called Pittsburgh Township." Colonel John 
Irwin and George Adams were named for ' * Supervisors of 
Roads, etc.," for the ensuing year. There* does not seem to 
be anything in addition to the above that recounts the pre- 
liminaries to the Act of 1794. The chief clauses of that Act 
provided that: '' Whereas, the inhabitants of the town of 
Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny, have, by their Peti- 
tion, Prayed to be Incorporated, and that the said town and 

[ 114 ] 




PITTSBURGH IN 1795. 

1. Peter Audrain. 2. James Ross. 3. Ferry House. 4. Morrow's Green Tree Tavern.i 
5. *Adamson Tannehill. 6. Samuel Ewalt. 7. *Presley Neville. 8. John Scull, where the Pitts-! 
burgh Gazette, the first newspaper west of the Allegheny mountains, was printed. 9. Johni 
Ormsby. 10. Samuel Sample's Tavern, where Washington stopped in 1770. 11. *Johii Neville.? 
12. *Isaac Craig. 13. *Abraham Kirkpatriek. 14. *James O'Hara. 15. Col. Wm. Butler's'i 
widow. 16. Gen'l Richard Butler's widow. 17. Wm. Cecil, father of late Mrs. Brewer. 18. Dr.r 
Nathaniel Bedford. 19 and 20. " Fort Fayette " (should be shown to include Penn street, them 
only opened as far up as the fort). 21. J. Marie, afterward James Ross. 22. Alexander Addison.] 
23. *John Gibson, the bearer of Logan's speech to Lord Dunmore. 24. *Ma3or John Irwin.) 
25. The Redoubt at mouth of Redoubt Alley, built by Col. Wm. Grant in 1765. 26. Judge Brack-[ 
enridge. 27. Watson's Tavern. 28. Charles Richards, and 29. Benjamin Richards (colored). I 
30. Black Bear Tavern. 31. Presbyterian Church. 32. Boat Yard. 33. James Ross. 34. JameSit 
Robinson. 35. Gen'l Wayne's Stables. 36. Northeast corner Front street and Chancery lane.E 
residence of John Johnston, grandfather of Wm. G. Johnston. This was the third brick housesi 
built in the town. The post-offlce was here from 1804 until 1822, he being the postmaster. 

♦Officers of the Revolution. 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

its vicinity as Hereafter described should be erected into a 
borough ; And Whereas, it may contribute to the advantage 
of the Inhabitants of the said town as also to those who 
trade and Resort there, and to the Public utility that nui- 
sances, encroachments of all sorts, contentions, annoyances 
and inconveniences in the said town and its vicinity should 
be prevented, and for promoting rule, order and good gov- 
ernment in the said town. Section 1st. Be it enacted by the 
Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth 
of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met, and it is hereby 
enacted by the authority of the same. That the said town of 
Pittsburgh shall be and the same is hereby Erected into a 
Borough, which shall be called the Borough of Pittsburgh, 
Forever, the extent of which said borough of Pittsburgh is 
and shall be comprised within the following boundaries, to 
wit: Beginning at the Point, or confluence of the rivers 
Allegheny and Monongahela, and running up the northeast 
beach of the said river Monongahela, south fifty-seven de- 
grees, east thirty-nine perches to Short street ; thence south 
sixty-four degrees, east two hundred and seven perches to 
Grant street ; thence south seventy-four degrees, east forty- 
nine perches to the mouth of Suke's Run; thence north 
thirty degrees, east one hundred and fifty perches to a post 
in Andrew Watson's field; thence north nineteen degrees, 
west one hundred and fifty perches to the river Allegheny ; 
thence down the said river Allegheny, south seventy-one 
degrees, west three hundred and fifteen perches to the place 
of beginning. ' ' 

The town, about the date of its incorporation as a bor- 
ough, stretched from the Point to Grant street on the 
Monongahela side, and from the Point to Washington street 
(now Eleventh), along the Allegheny river. Penn and 
Liberty streets, parallel with the Allegheny, were the prin- 
cipal thoroughfares, crossed by Marbury, Hay, Pitt, St. 
Clair, Irwin, Hand, Wayne and Washington streets. Un- 
fortunately these cross streets have lost their historic 
names, having been changed to prosaic numbers without 
any practical advantage, as the numbered avenues which 
cross them only create confusion. The names of these 
cross streets, before they were changed, were monuments 

[ 115 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

to men who had been iiistrumental in laying the foundations 
of Pittsburgh. Marbury street was named for Captain 
Joseph Marburj'', at one time an officer of tlie Garrison ; St. 
Clair, for General Arthur St. Clair; Hand, after General 
Edward Hand ; Irwin, after Col. John Irwin; Wayne, 
after General Anthony Wayne. The streets running 
i I pcjrallel with the Allegheny were: Water, Front, Sec- 
^ 5 ^'^ond, Third, Fourth and Fifth streets; Hammond alley 
(now Diamond), Virgin alley. Sixth street, Strawberry 
alley. Seventh street, all of which were crossed by West 
street. Short street. Redoubt alley, Ferry street, Chancery 
lane, Market street. Wood street. Cherry alley, Smithfield 
and Grant streets. Wood street took its name from Colonel 
George Woods, of Bedford, who, as has already been noted, 
under the authority of Tench Francis, attorney for the 
Penns, surveyed Pittsburgh in 1784. Smithfield street 
took its name in honor of Devereux Smith, an Indian trader 
of prominence during the pioneer days ; Grant street from 
Major Grant, the leader of the unfortunate band of Scotch 
Highlanders, cut to pieces by the French and Indians in 
1758, on the spot where the court house now stands. 

The first election of borough officers was determined by 
the Act of Incorporation to take place on the nineteenth of 
the next May, and resulted in the election of the following 
officers : Two Chief Burgesses, George Robinson and 
Josiah Tannehill ; High Constable, Samuel Morrison ; Town 
Clerk, James Clow; Assistant Burgesses, Nathaniel Irish, 
John Johnston, George Adams and Nathaniel Bedford; 
Assessors, William Amber son and Abraham Kirkpatrick; 
Supervisors, William Gray and John McMasters. Two 
days later, the twenty-first, the first regular meeting of the 
newly elected Council took place, when Adamson Tannehill, 
William H. Beaumont and Major Isaac Craig were elected 
Surveyors or Regulators of the Borough. The same day 
Nathaniel Bedford resigned as Assistant Burgess, and John 
McMasters resigned as Supervisor. Therefore, another 
election was ordered to supply the vacancies, and William 
Dunning and James Henry were elected to fill them, re- 
spectively. Bedford and McMasters were fined by the court 
for their delinquency, and as a warning for the future, that 

[ 116 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

duly elected officers would not be permitted to shirk their 
duties to the community. There was no fixed meeting place 
for the Council. They met at the Court House, Market 
House and at the taverns ; principally at the latter. In those 
days there were no " executive sessions;" it was the habit 
of the male portion of the populace to mingle with the 
Councilmen, and many measures passed were advocated by 
citizens present at these meetings. According to the 
" Record " or Minute Book of the borough for the first few 
years there was a great deal of laxity on the part of the 
borough officers in attending to their duties in enforcing the 
law and meeting with the Chief Burgess in pursuance of his 
call. There is record of repeated protests by him regarding 
this, but protests did not avail much. As a result some of 
the early ordinances were repealed, and new ones covering 
the same conditions were enacted, or severe amendments 
were added to the existing ordinances in an endeavor to 
create some respect for and observance of the Coi-pora- 
tion's power to regulate the growing community. These 
repeated efforts brought about a measurable if not an en- 
tirely satisfactory effect. One of the notable events of 
Pittsburgh's first year as a borough was the establishment 
of a second Market House on the bank of the Monougahela, 
at the foot of Market street. This came as a result of a 
town meeting and a popular vote held on the nineteenth of 
July. In a few months — in October of the same year — it 
became necessary to make regulations, which seem some- 
what amusing in this century, for the purchase and sale of 
provisions at the market houses. The following statement 
from the Borough Records for the year 1794 gives the 
amounts of receipts and expenditures for the Borough's 
first year : 

"Amt. of Expenditures £175, s5, d5 

Borough Taxes — 

Commissions for Assessing 3, 2, 9 

do for Collecting 1, 11, 4 

Township Taxes — 

Commissions for Assess. & Collecting 4, 15, 2 

Cash paid Mr. Bracken 7, 10, 

£190, s4, d9 
[ 117 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Amount of receipts on both Taxes £253, 19, 9 

Expenditures &c 190, 4, 9 



£63, sl5, do 
To William Dunning's Bill rendered. £1, 18, 7 
Jno Gormley, do do . 1, 18, 0— 3, 16, 7 



£59, sl8, d5 

" Agreeable to the above Statement of Receipts and Expenditures for 
the year 1794, Made by James Henry, then Town Clerk, as also other 
Documents laid before us, there appears to be due to the Borough, a 
Ballance of £59, 18, 5 Lying in the hands of Mr. Wm. Gray late 
Supervisor. 

" Examined and passed 

" 2nd September 1798 

" Andr. Mclntire 

late Burgess 
" J. G. Heron, Assistant 
" Jos. Asheton Assistant B. 
"Wm. McMillan Ast. " " 

Settlements in the vicinity of Pittsburgh began to in- 
crease. McKeesport was perhaps the most important. It 
was laid out by John McKee in the year Pittsburgh became 
a borough. He established a brewery, tanyard, boatyard 
and two stores, and for many years the prediction was made 
by the McKeesporters that Pittsburgh would eventually be 
crowded out of her position as metropolis of the West, for 
the reason that McKeesport was twelve miles nearer Phila- 
delphia. According to Neville B. Craig, in his History of 
Pittsburgh, the appearance of Pittsburgh at close range was 
anything but prepossessing at this time, and the citizens of 
McKeesport may be pardoned for their vanity. Some of 
the ordinances which were difficult, almost impossible to 
enforce, were for the prohibition of hogs and cattle roaming 
the streets. Craig states: " The ramparts of Fort Pitt 
were still standing, and a portion of the officers ' quarters, a 
substantial brick building, was used as a malt-house. The 
gates were gone, and the brick wall, called the revetment, 
which supported two of the ramparts facing toward the 
town, and against which the officers and soldiers used to 
play ball, were gone, so that the earth all around had as- 
sumed the natural slope. Outside the Fort, on the side next 
the Allegheny river, was a large, deep pond, the frequent 

[ 118 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

resort of wild ducks. Along the south side of Liberty- 
street, and extending from Diamond alley to the foot of 
Fourth street (now Fourth avenue), was another pond, 
from which a deep ditch led the water into a brick arch- 
way, leading from Front street (now First avenue), just 
below Redoubt alley, into the Monongahela. * * * South of 
Market street, just below Front and Water streets, was an- 
other pond, and still another in the square in front of the 
St. Charles Hotel. Finally there was Hogg's Pond extend- 
ing along the north side of Grant's Hill from Fourth street 
(avenue) up to Seventh. From this last there was a low, 
ugly drain, extending down nearly parallel to Wood street, 
to the river. A stone bridge was built across this gully in 
Front street (First avenue), probably soon after the bor- 
ough was incorporated. * * * Nothing could be less 
pleasing to the eye than the rugged, irregular bank. From 
the bridge (Smithfield street), down to Wood street, the 
distance from the lots to the break of the bank was from 
sixty to seventy feet. Wood street was impassable when 
the river was moderately high. From Wood to Market, the 
distance from the lots at the break of the bank was fifty or 
sixty feet. At Market street there was a deep gully worn, 
into the bank, so that a wagon could barely pass along. At 
the mouth of Chancery lane there was another chasm in the 
bank. * * * At the mouth of Ferry street there was a 
similar contraction of the way. * * * ^t Redoubt 
alley there was quite a steep and stony descent down to the 
level of the covered archway of which I have before spoken. 
Below that archway the space between the lots and the 
break of the bank, nowhere exceeded twenty feet, and be- 
tween Short and West streets it varied from fifteen feet to 
five feet." 

By this time (1794), post-offices had been established at 
Wheeling, Marietta and Gallipolis, and to insure the de- 
livery of mail to the several settlements to the West and 
South, unhindered by the hostile Indians of the country, a 
line of mail boats was established from Wheeling to Lime- 
stone. From Pittsburgh to Wheeling, post horses were em- 
ployed ; the post-rider connecting at Wheeling with the boat 
which plied between that place and Marietta. At Marietta 

[ 119 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

the mail was changed to a second boat which plied between 
Marietta and Gallipolis, connecting at the latter place with 
a third boat which made the trip from Gallipolis to Lime- 
stone and return. These boats were about twenty-four feet 
in length, each manned with five men, four oarsmen and a 
pilot. They were well armed, for General Wayne had not 
yet subdued the Indians in the country to the west of Pitts- 
burgh, though it was accomplished that same year, and the 
mails were carried in safety, only one attack having been 
made on them in the four years of their employment. Other 
post-offices were established in the settlements of the Ohio 
country after Wayne's subjugation of the hostile Indians, 
and in the October of 1798 a mail line was opened to Zanes- 
ville over a route including Cannonsburg, Washington and 
Wheeling. Also, in the January of the year Pittsburgh 
was incorporated as a borough, communication by water 
with Cincinnati was inaugurated. At first the boats arrived 
Itut once a month ; later more boats were added to the line 
and passengers could embark weekly. These boats were 
well armed and protected each with six one pounders and 
rifles. The cabins, if they could be so called, were bullet 
proof and had rifle port holes. 

Closely following the establishment of the iron business 
in the country west of the Allegheny Mountains and, par- 
ticularly, at Pittsburgh, comes the lumber and glass busi- 
ness. Curiously enough, the lumber business began with the 
famous Seneca Chief, C ornplanter , or Gyantawachia. Major 
Isaac Craig, having been informed by Major Thomas But- 
ler, the Commandant at Franklin, in December of 1795, that 
Cornplanter had a large stock of sawed lumber on hand, 
despatched an agent to purchase it for use and sale in 
Pittsburgh. This marked the beginning of the Allegheny 
river lumber trade of which more will be said further on. 

Pittsburgh perhaps owed more to General James O'Hara 
for her prestige as a commercial and manufacturing center 
in these pioneer days than to any other one man. General 
O'Hara was a trader and a contractor on a large scale. 
His were long range calculations. In his business relations 
with the government in supplying the garrison at Oswego 
on Lake Ontario with provisions, he had in mind the supply- 

[ 120 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

ing of Pittsburgh with salt from tlie Onondaga salt works at 
Salina, now Syracuse, N. Y. Why return to Pittsburgh 
with transports unladened? He, accordingly, reserved in 
his contract with the government, the barrels in which he 
packed provisions for the garrison. These he brought back 
to Pittsburgh packed with salt. His successful venture in 

1796, in placing this commodity on the Pittsburgh market 
at less than the price of Baltimore salt, notwithstanding 
the several transshipments from wagons to boats and vice 
versa, over a distance of five hundred miles, had won for 
him a deserved reputation for sagacity and courage. He 
soon had two vessels built for this business, one on Lake 
Ontario and one on Lake Erie, and boats on the Allegheny. 
Other means of transportation were also improved, and 
salt was sold in Pittsburgh for four dollars instead of eight 
dollars per bushel. Until salt from the Kanawha works 
came into competition in 1810, General O'Hara's business in 
this line flourished. It gradually began to wane, and, during 
the War of 1812, it practically ceased. 

Of greater interest and importance is the history of the 
first manufacture of glass west of the Alleghenies. The 
credit of this hazardous undertaking, altliough it has been 
disputed, unquestionably belongs also to General O'Hara 
and his associate. Major Isaac Craig. The first steps were 
taken in 1796 when they persuaded William Eichbaum, 
a German glass worker, to leave the management of the 
Schuylkill Glass Works near Philadelphia and take charge 
of the erection and operation of a glass house in Pittsburgh. 
After several delays and a fruitless search for a vein of 
coal of suitable thickness, on the north bank of the Alle- 
gheny, they purchased from Bphriam Jones, in the Spring of 

1797, a house and lot on the south side of the Monongahela, 
near where the Point Bridge now is; and also two adjoining 
lots from Ephriam Blaine. The erection of the house was 
soon completed, and the manufacturing of green glass com- 
menced. Additional credit is due Messrs. O'Hara and 
Craig for their progressiveness in using coal as fuel; theirs 
being the first glass works in America to employ it. An 
interesting incident is related in connection with this glass 
house in the first years of its existence: " In the fall of 

[ 121 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

1800 the ' commissioner of the city of Washington,' then 
just made the seat of government, applied to Craig and 
O'Hara to make for the public buildings some glass of 
larger sizes than had ever been produced in this country; 
but the attempt was uncuscessful. Glass of the size re- 
quired, to the extent of some four hundred square feet, was 
made of a transparency tolerably good, but it was too un- 
even for the purpose,- or was spoiled in flattening, and the 
glass required was obtained from England." It is a 
far cry from this failure to make what would now be termed 
an ordinary window sheet, to the-mammoth plates covering 
the entire front of some of the modern business houses. 
The second glass house erected in this vicinity was that of 
Denny and Beelen, on the north side of the Ohio, in what is 
now Manchester, Allegheny. These works erected in 1800, 
were known as the '' Ohio Works," and from them the riffle 
of the Ohio, known as Glass House Riffle, takes its name. 
From that time on, the manufacturers of glass multiplied 
until to-day Pittsburgh is the leading glass market of the 
world. O'Hara and Craig's was an eight-pot furnace and 
turned out three boxes or about three hundred square feet 
of window glass per day. Bottles and other ** hollow 
ware," were also made. Apropos of the beginning of this 
industry is an interesting memorandum of General 
O'Hara 's which came to light after his death. In his own 
writing he stated : ' ' To-day we made the first bottle at a 
cost of $30,000.00." 

After seven years of partnership 'Hara and Craig dis- 
solved, it was said, because Major Craig's relatives feared 
ultimate financial loss. It is true their enterprise was at- 
tended with difficulties for years, both in obtaining material, 
some of which had to be transported from New Jersey, and 
in the control of their workmen ; but it seems hardly a suf- 
ficient reason for Major Craig's withdrawal. Be that as it 
may, to both must be given, in equal portion, the honor of 
establishing this pioneer manufactory and succoring it dur- 
ing the first seven years of its precarious existence. Fur- 
ther mention of other branches of this industry will be 
found in the succeeding pages. 

A less hazardous industry which received a fresh im- 

[ 122 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

petus at about the time of the establishment of the glass 
industry was that of boat building. Owing to the strained 
condition of affairs between tliis country and France, Con- 
gress ordered, in 1797, two vessels to be built in Pittsburgh 
for use on the lower Mississippi They were named the 
President Adams and the Senator Ross. The first was 
launched the nineteenth day of May, 1798, and the second 
in the Spring of 1799. Subsequent to this, ships, brigs and 
schooners were built here in great number in the ship- 
yards of Tarascon Brothers, James Berthoud & Co., estab- 
lished in 1800. They also conducted a ship chandlery and 
general merchandise business in connection with their build- 
ing business. Ships were also built at Elizabeth, the Monon- 
gahela Farmer being the first, built in 1800. She was owned 
by the builders and farmers of the vicinity, and was first 
sent to New York via New Orleans loaded with flour, 
whiskey, deer skins, etc. In 1803 the Ann Jane was 
launched at the same point and sent out with a similar 
cargo. The first ships built by Tarascon Brothers, James 
Berthoud & Co. were, the schooner Amity, one hundred and 
twenty tons, and the ship Pittsburg, two hundred and fifty 
tons, completed in 1801. Following these were, the brig 
Nanina, two hundred and fifty tons; the Louisiana, three 
hundred tons ; and the Western Trader, four hundred tons, 
all famous in the early days. The following anecdote of a 
ship built at Pittsburgh and clearing from that port for 
Leghorn was related by Henry Clay, in Congress : When 
the ship arrived at the latter port the Custom House official 
would not credit her papers and threatened to confiscate 
the vessel on the ground that there was no such port as 
Pittsburgh, which was prima facie evidence the clearance 
papers were forged. It is related that ' ' the trembling cap- 
tain laid before the officer the map of the United States, 
directed him to the Gulf of Mexico, pointed out the mouth 
of the Mississippi, led him a thousand miles up it to the 
mouth of the Ohio, and thence another thousand to Pitts- 
burgh ; ' There, Sir, is the port whence my vessel cleared 
out.' The astonished officer, before he had seen the map, 
would as readily have believed that this vessel had been 
navigated from the moon." 

[ 123 1 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

With the increase in the industries of Pittsburgh came, 
as a matter of course, the multiplication and enlargement 
of commercial enterprises ; all of which added to her prestige 
abroad. There are several ordinances which were enacted 
during the first years of Pittsburgh as a borough that indi- 
cate progress. One or two of these are deserving of special 
mention for they fix an approximate date of the beginning 
of the fire department. On the sixteenth day of April, 
1797, a meeting of the freeholders and housekeepers met at 
the house of John Reed and resolved, '' that a tax be laid 
to raise as much money as will purchase fiJty fire buckets 
" * * the buckets to be marked with the letters B. P. and 
numbered from No. one to fifty." At a subsequent meeting 
held at the same place on the thirtieth of January, 1798, 
" it was ruled and ordained that the fire engine now the 
property of the present fire company of Pittsburgh will be 
paid for by the borough in the following manner, viz. : A 
tax eaqual to the first cost and Carriage of the Engine shall 
be laid and Collected from the Freeholders and house- 
keepers & other Inhabitants of the said Borough in two 
Eaqual yearly taxes, when Collected the amount of each 
Subscriber for the purchase of the Engine shall be refunded 
to them, after which payments the Engine shall be and 
remain the property of the borough of Pittsburgh. * * * 
And it is further ordained that the Chief Burgess and 
Assistant Burgess shall have the direction of the Engine 
During their continuance in office. ' ' Another ordinance en- 
acted the twenty-eighth of June, 1798, directed the Bur- 
gesses " to divide the Borough into two or more Com- 
panies for working and Keeping the Fire Engine in order, ' ' 
and to appoint officers for said Companies to serve for one 
year. It was consequently agreed, at a meeting held the 
thirteenth day of July, that the town should be divided into 
three districts, as follows: The inhabitants on the lower 
side of Market street as far as Fourth street, to compose 
the first company ; those on the upper side of Market street, 
bounded by Fourth street, to form the second company ; the 
third to include all north of Fourth street. It was also 
agreed that the following persons should act as officers of 
said companies for one year, viz. : For the first company, 

[ 124 ] 



BEFOEE THE CITY CHARTER 

Joim Scull, President; Directors, John Johnson, Jeremiah 
Barker, William Irwin, George Adams, Oliver Ormsby, 
Isaac Craig- Second company, Adamson Tannehill, Presi- 
dent; Directors, Thomas Bracken, William Mason, George 
Robinson, Isaac Gregg, Samuel McCord, Alexander Sholl. 
Third company, Nathaniel Irish, President; Directors, John 
Irwin, William Gray, William Dunning, William McMullin, 
Jeremiah Sturgeon, Robert Griffin. 

After a fire it was customary for the neighbors to make 
up the loss and assist in repairing the damages. This was 
before the time of protection by insurance companies. 

Another evidence of progress is shown by the steps taken 
to raise money for the erection of piers, to protect banks 
of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers from the en- 
croachments of the high currents which were constantly 
washing them away. In June, 1798, this lottery was adver- 
tised : 

''A Lottery. 

^' For raising the sum of $12,000 to be applied in erecting 
piers to defend the banks of the rivers Allegheny and 
Monongahela, within the borough of Pittsburgh, autliorized 
by an Act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania : 

** The scheme of the first class is as follows: 

1 Prize of $1,000.00 15 Prizes of $100.00 

1 " " 800.00 

2 Prizes " 500.00 

3 " " 400.00 
5 " " 300.00 

10 " " 200.00 

1 Prize of $2,000.00 (last drawn lot). 
1 " " 1,000.00 (second last drawn). 
1 " " 500.00 (third last drawn). 
2210 Prizes and 3790 blanks; 6000 tickets at $5.00 each; total, 
$30,000.00. 

"All prizes subject to a deduction of 15 per cent. The 
drawing of the first class to commence as soon as the tickets 
are sold, and the prizes to be discharged on the completion 
of the drawing, which it is hoped will be in October next. 
* * * Tickets to be had of the managers in Pittsburgh ; 

[ 125 ] 



20 


a 


a 


50.00 


50 


a 


a 


20.00 


100 


a 


li 


15,00 


2000 


a 


i( 


7.00 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

of Thomas Hamilton, in Greensburgh; and of General 

Douglass in Uniontown. 

'* Pressley Neville, James Brown, 

' * George Stevenson, George Shiras, 

** John Scull, Jeremiah Barker, 

*' Isaac Craig, Nathaniel Irish, 
*' Nathaniel Bedford, Mangers." 

On August first, 1801, an ordinance was passed to the 
effect " that pathways of brick, stone or gravel, bounded 
by curbstones of square pieces of timber should be con- 
structed." Evident^ this was not accomplished as on the 
twenty-third day of July, 1802, the following " ordinance 
respecting foot-ways " appeared in the Gazette: 

''An Ordinance Respecting Foot- ways: 

'' Be it ordained by the Burgesses, free holders and in- 
habitants of the Borough of Pittsburgh, in the County of 
Allegheny, in Town Meeting assembled. That foot ways of 
brick, stone or gravel, bounded by curb stones, or by squared 
pieces of timber, shall be made under the direction of the 
Regulators, in the following streets, viz. : 

' ' Market Street, both sides, from Water Street, to Fifth 
Street. 

'' Water Street, from Wood Street to Redoubt Alley. 

" Front Street, north side, from Wood Street to Ferry 
Street. 

*' Second Street, south side, from Wood Street to Ferry 
Street, and north side, from Wood Street to Redoubt Alley. 

'' Third Street, north side, from Wood Street to Ferry 
Street. 

' ' Fourth Street, both sides, from Smithfield Street to the 
alley in which the Jail is built. 

*' Fifth Street, south side, from Wood Street to Market 
Street. 

" Wood Street, east side, from Second Street to Virgin 
Alley, and west side from Water Street to Fifth Street. 

**And it is further ordained. That, if any person, or per- 
sons, owning a lot or lots, bounded by either of the streets 
aforesaid, shall neglect or refuse to make, or cause to be 

[ 126 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

made, on or before the first day of January, 1803, a foot- 
way to extend along the bounds of his or their lot or lots as 
aforesaid, that then it shall and may be lawful for the 
supervisors to cause a foot-way to be made of gravel, 
bounded by squared pieces of timber, to extend along the 
bounds aforesaid, at the proper charge and expense of the 
owner of such lot or lots who may so neglect or refuse. 
The money to be recovered from such owners in such cases 
in the same manner as Borough taxes have been usually 
collected or recovered. 

*'And be it further ordained. That, if any person shall 
attempt, directly or indirectly, to obstruct the execution of 
this Ordinance, the person so offending, shall forfeit and 
pay for every such offence a fine not exceeding twenty dol- 
lars with the costs of prosecution. 

"And be it further ordained, That the Regulators be in- 
structed to pitch and regulate the streets of this Borough, 
and that each Regulator be allowed one dollar and fifty 
cents per day for every day that they shall be employed on 
this business. 

^' George Stevenson", 

''Attest: '^ Chief Burgess. 

'' William Woods, 

'' Town Clerk." 

It was stated that, from the year 1794 to 1801, taxes 
amounting to $3,916.94 had been levied for street improve- 
ments, etc., but when it is considered that the entire city 
tax, twelve years later, was only $2,774.77, it will be realized 
that the street appropriation for this period was very large 
in proportion. 

As the result of a resolution passed by the Town Council. 
August ninth, 1802, the Burgesses and assistants proceeded 
to view such parts of the Borough " as were presumed to 
immediately require a more effectual supply of water," and 
it was decided that four wells with pumps were necessary 
on Market street, one to be between First and Second 
streets, one between Second and Third, one between Third 
and Fourth, and one at the " Court House," the latter to 
be built at the expense of the county. It was estimated that 

[ 127 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

the sinking and walling each well to a depth of forty-seven 
feet would amount to $120.00, exclusive of the pump. To 
defray the expense, a tax of $497.96 was levied, but in De- 
cember of the same year, the Collector complained that only 
$170.00 had been collected, although two of the wells and 
pumps were completed ; that he had frequently called on all 
the taxable inhabitants of the Borough, a number of wliom 
refused to pay. The Burgesses, therefore, were under the 
necessity of reminding the citizens " that Section 20th of 
the Act of Incorporation points out a legal mode of pro- 
cedure in such cases, but the Burgesses flatter themselves 
that in collecting what remains due of this tax that it will 
not be necessary to resort to compulsive means." 

The census of 1800 credits Pittsburgh with a population 
of 1,565, which is doubtless correct, though later authori- 
ties, John Melish's Travels in the United States of Amer- 
ica, published in 1812, and the Directory, of 1815, give the 
number for the year 1801 as 2,400. The latter figure proba- 
bly included the suburban population. The number of 
houses in the town at this time was said to have been about 
four hundred. 

The first years of the nineteenth century in the history of 
Pittsburgh were marked with many events worthy of rec- 
ord. To quote a well-worn phrase, ' ' party spirit ran high " 
in these times at Pittsburgh, as elsewhere. The Gazette, 
which had been enlarged to a royal sheet in 1798, was strong 
for the Administration, and while endeavoring to be im- 
I)artial, it bitterly resented the attacks on the leaders of 
the Revolution, who were now succoring the new national 
government. The eminent Judge Brackenridge was Anti- 
Federal with many strong supporters. It is related that he 
became '' involved in a personal difference growing out of 
politics, with the presiding Judge of the Court in which he 
practiced, and fearful that he might be provoked to do some- 
thing which might be taken advantage of, he resolved to re- 
tire from practice." Thenceforth, he became a formidable 
politician and, in 1800, established the second newspaper of 
Pittsburgh, the Tree of Liberty, with a motto from the 
Scriptures: ''And the leaves of the tree were for the heal- 
ing of the nations." The controversies which ensued were 

[ 128 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHAETER 

extremely bitter, and, as a result, suits for libel were insti- 
tuted on both sides. The weight of public opinion was evi- 
dently on the side of Mr. Scull and the Gazette, for in the 
latter part of 1804, the Tree of Liberty was discontinued. 

In the year 1801, Dr. Hugh Scott was appointed postmas- 
ter to succeed George Adams. The post-office again fol- 
lowed the direction of the business growth and, during Dr. 
Scott's incumbency, was located on the corner of Third 
street (now Third avenue) and Market street. In this year 
a new contract for carrying the mail was let, the details of 
which were published in the Gazette of October ninth: "A 
new contract for carrying the Mail of the United States 
from Chambersburg, by McConnellsburg, Bedford, Som- 
erset, Greensburg, Pittsburg and Canonsburg to Washing- 
ton, Pa., twice a week, came into operation on the first 
instant. By this contract the mail will leave Chambersburg 
every Tuesday and Saturday, and arrive at Washington 
every Friday and Tuesday. The contractors, Josiah Espy, 
of Bedford, and Jacob Graft, of Somerset, have made ar- 
rangements for forwarding the mail, with as much care and 
punctuality as possible, but, should any unforeseen acci- 
dents happen at any time, tending to delay the progress of 
it, any assistance obligingly afforded will be thankfully 
acknowledged and compensated for by the contractors.'* 
Dr. Scott filled the office until his death in 1804, at which 
time John Johnson became postmaster. He removed the 
office to his residence on Front street, corner of Chancery 
Lane. Mr. Johnson filled the position until 1822, a period 
of eighteen years. 

Manufacturing increased and new industries were estab- 
lished from year to year. The merchants, manufacturers 
and citizens of Western Pennsylvania and Virginia turned 
their earnest attention to building up trade with the west 
and south. The aim of the Western Pennsylvanian of this 
period was to make Pittsburgh the manufacturing and trade 
center of all the great west, to make it independent of the 
east as far as possible. The value of the goods manufac- 
tured in Pittsgurgh for the year 1803 amounted to 
$350,000.00. The first iron foundr}^ established in Pitts- 
burgh was built this year by Joseph McClurg, Joseph Smith 

9 [ 129 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

and John Gormly, and casting of iron was begun the next 
year. The site of this foundry known as the Pittsburgh 
I'oundry, was on the northeast corner of Fifth avenue and 
Smithfield street where the Park Building now stands. 
There are many conflicting dates as to the establishment of 
this industry, varying from 1803 to 1806. After careful re- 
search it seems reasonable to state that the enterprise was 
projected in 1803, partly finished in 1804, when casting was 
done limitedly, and completed in 1805, or early in 1806. In 
the Commonwealth of February twelfth, Mr. McClurg ad- 
vertised that '' the Pittsburgh Foundry is now complete." 
This foundry achieved fame in the War of 1812 as a source 
of supply for government cannon, howitzers, shells and 
balls; Commodore Perry's Lake Erie fleet was supplied in 
part from here, as was the army of General Jackson at New 
Orleans. 

On the fifth of March, 1804, an Act of the Assembly for 
the reincorporation of the Borough of Pittsburgh was ap- 
proved. The inhabitants petitioned for an alteration in the 
law incorporating the original Borough of Pittsburgh, on 
the ground that it was ' ' insufficient to promote conveniency, 
good order and public utility." The boundaries of the 
Borough were left practically unaltered, and provision was 
made for an annual election of one Burgess instead of two, 
a Town Council of thirteen and a Collector of Taxes. The 
Burgess and Town Council had power to acquire and hold 
in fee simple and otherwise, goods, chattels, lands, fran- 
chises and the like to the amount of $5,000.00 annually, and 
to dispose of same. Persons elected as Constables or Coun- 
cilmen were compelled to faithfully perform the duties of 
their offices under penalty of $20.00 for failure. The Coun- 
cil stipulated the market regulations and appointed a Clerk 
of the Market. They also appointed two Street and Road 
Commissioners for the supervision of highways and side- 
walks. By the terms of the law the annual tax levy could 
not exceed one-half cent on the dollar, except for a special 
purpose, and then only by written consent of a majority of 
the freeholders. Provision was also made for a Court of 
Appeal, composed of two members of the Town Council for 
the purpose of determining, if called upon, the justice of 

[ 130 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

apportionment for any tax levied and to remedy any griev- 
ance that might occur in levying same. The Burgess and 
Council also had power to regulate the building of wharves 
en the water front. There had been considerable difficulty 
in collecting the borough taxes under the old charter ; there- 
fore, a great deal of power was given to the new corpora- 
tion to accomplish this function; the last clause of the 
charter but one, while providing for an appeal to the Court 
of Quarter Sessions for an adjustment of any grievances 
imposed by the Act, made an exception to this privilege in 
the matter of the levying and collecting of borough taxes. 

Other events of the year 1804 were : The establishment 
of the first cotton factory here by Peter Eltonhead, the 
capital having been raised by public subscription ; the open- 
ing of a shop for the manufacturing or drawing of iron wire 
by John Parkin; and the establishment of Pittsburgh's first 
banking house, a branch of the Bank of Pennsylvania, which 
was opened at the beginning of the year, January ninth, in 
the stone building on Second street (now Second avenue) 
between Ferry street and Chancery lane. Thomas Wilson 
and John Thaw, father of William Thaw, both clerks in the 
parent bank, were sent here to open the branch. Mr. Wil- 
son was made cashier and Mr. Thaw, teller. 

It was also in this year, on the morning of Independence 
Day, that better and more frequent communication with the 
east was established by the opening of a regular line of 
stages between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. The first 
schedule called for a stage to leave both ends of the line 
once a week. Other lines connecting with towns nearer fol- 
lowed. The third newspaper of Pittsburgh, the Common- 
wealth, first went to press in 1805; and in May, 1806, the 
newspapers published advertisements for bids for the con- 
struction of the turnpike, or sections thereof, from Pitts- 
burgh to Harrisburgh. The Act authorizing the construc- 
tion of this turnpike went through various alterations and 
amendments and the time for the inauguration of the work 
was set ahead to the year 1814. In that year another law 
was passed authorizing the Pittsburgh and Harrisburgh 
Turnpike to be built in five sections and limiting the time 
for the commencement of the work to five years. 

[ 131 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

It was in the first and second decades of the nineteenth 
century that emigration to the Western country reached its 
full volume. The Eastern farmers and others, who had lost 
much because of the Revolution, sold their possessions at 
whatever advantage possible and came West, hoping to 
retrieve their fortunes by settling in the ' * Ohio Country. ' ' 
It has been estimated that the population of Kentucky in- 
creased from 406,511 in 1810, to 527,000 in 1815; that of 
Ohio from 230,000 to about 400,000 ; of Indiana from about 
25,000 to about 100,000. The boom which Pittsburgh ex- 
perienced in its commanding position at the head of the 
Ohio, the great highway through this new territory, may be 
comprehended when it is considered that the greater part 
of this emigration passed through this point, thus rapidly 
enhancing her manufacturing and commercial interests. It 
was even at this time known as the " Birmingham of 
America," and was noted for its smoky aspect. Cramer's 
Navigator for 1808 gives the following " Enumeration of 
the professions, the manufactories and the number of mas- 
ter workmen in each particular branch," according to an 
account taken in the fall of 1807 : 



1 Cotton Factory, 




8 Butchers, 


1 Green Glass works. 




2 Barbers, 


2 Breweries, 




6 Hatters, 


1 Air Furnace, 




4 Physicians, 


4 Nail Factories, 




2 Potteries, 


7 Coppersmiths, 




2 Straw Bonnet makers. 


1 Wire Manufactory, 




1 Reed maker. 


1 Brass Foundry, 




2 Spinning Wheel makers, 


6 Saddlers, 




1 Wool and Cotton Cord manu- 


2 Gunsmiths, 




facturer. 


2 Tobacconists, 




4 Plane makers. 


1 Bell maker. 




6 Milliners, 


1 Scythe and sickle 


maker, 5 


12 Mantua makers. 


miles up the Allegheny, 


1 Stocking weaver. 


2 Soap boilers and tallow chand- 


1 Glass Cutter, 


lers, 




2 Book Binderies, 


1 Brush maker. 




4 House and sign Painters, 


1 Trunk maker. 




2 Tinners, 


5 Coopers, 




1 Sail maker. 


10 Blue dyers. 




2 Mattress makers. 


13 Weavers, 




1 Upholsterer, 


1 Comb maker. 




5 Wagon makers. 


7 Cabinet makers. 




5 Watch and Clock makers and 


1 Turner, 




Silversmiths, 


6 Bakers, 




5 Brick Layers, 




[ 132 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

4 Plasters, 5 Windsor Chair makers, 

3 Stone Cutters, 1 Split-bottom chair maker, 

5 Boat Builders, 13 Tailors, 

2 Ship Builders, 3 Spinning-wheel spindle and 
1 Saddletree maker, crank makers, 

1 Flute and Jewsharp maker, 12 School Mistresses, 

1 Pump maker, 1 Breeches maker, 

1 Bell hanger, 1 Glove maker, 

2 Looking-glass makers, 33 Tavern keepers, 

1 Ladies' lace maker, 50 Store keepers or merchants, 

1 Lock maker, 4 Printing offices, 

7 Tanners, 1 Copper plate printer, 

2 Rope walks, 5 Brick yards, 

1 Gardner and Seedsman, 3 Stone masons, 

17 Blacksmiths, 2 Booksellers, 

1 Machinist and Whitesmith, 1 Harness maker, 

1 Cutter and Tool maker, 1 Horse Farrier, 
32 House Carpenters and Joiners, 1 Starch maker, 

21 Boot and Shoe makers, 3 Board and Lumber yards, 

1 Ladies' Shoe maker. 

In addition to the above, for the year 1807, the second 
year following (1809), there were mentioned, one white glass 
works, owned by Messrs. Robinson and Ensell; one Bell- 
metal button manufactory, Thomas Neal's; one Pipe manu- 
factory, AViliiam Price's; one Cotton manufactory, Mr. 
Scott's; and one Patent boot and. shoe maker. The firm of 
Robinson and Ensell, mentioned in this enumeration, as man- 
ufacturers of white or flint glass, was short-lived, for, ac- 
cording to Weeks, an authority on the glass industry of the 
United States, " these works were not put into operation 
for lack of capital, and the establishment, in an incomplete 
state, was offered for sale, probably without having made 
any glass." He states further that, " In August, 1808, Mr. 
Benjamin Bakewell and his friend Mr. Page (Benjamin) 
who were visiting Pittsburgh at the time, were induced to 
purchase the works on the representation of Mr. Ensell, 
tJiat he thoroughly understood the business. ' ' This was the 
beginning of the firm of Bakewell and Page which estab- 
lished the first successful flint glass house in the United 
States. The firm was known as Bakewell and Ensell and 
was composed of Robert Kinder and Co., of New York, 
(represented by Thomas Kinder) Benjamin Page and Ed- 
ward Ensell. The representations of Ensell to Mr. Bake- 
well, as to the equipment of the works, were found to be 

[ 133 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

incorrect; Ensell withdrew in 1809 and the firm became 
Bakewell and Company, comprising Robert Kinder & Co., 
Benjamin Page and Benjamin Bakewell. A thorough reor- 
ganization and re-equipment were effected. " The difficul- 
ties he (Bakewell) met with," states Weeks, *' would have 
disheartened a less determined man. * * * jj^g f^j._ 
nace was badly constructed; his workmen were not highly 
skilled and would not permit the introduction of appren- 
tices, and his materials were secured from a distance at a 
time when transportation was difficult and expensive ; pearl 
ash and red lead coming from Philadelphia, and pot clay 
from Burlington, New Jersey, all being transported over 
the mountains in wagons. Sand was obtained near Pitts- 
burgh, but was yellowish, and up to this time had been used 
for window and bottle glass ; the saltpetre from the caves of 
Kentucky until 1825, when the supply was obtained from 
Calcutta. These difficulties were in time overcome. Good 
clay was procured from Holland and purer materials were 
discovered, and he rebuilt his furnaces on a better plan; 
competent workmen being either instructed or brought from 
Europe, and through his energy and perseverence the works 
became eminently successful." In 1813, the style of the 
firm became, Bakewell, Page and Bakewell, the partners 
being Benjamin Bakewell, Benjamin Page, and Thomas 
Bakewell. In 1827 it became Bakewell, Page and Bake- 
wells ; in 1832, Bakewells and Anderson ; in 1836 Bakewells 
& Co.; in 1842, Bakewells and Pears; in 1844, Bakewell, 
Pears and Co., Limited. Under this style the firm ceased 
to exist in 1881. 

The Franklin Institute at Philadelphia in October, 1825, 
awarded a silver medal to Bakewell, Page and Bakewell 
over many competitors, for the finest specimen of cut glass. 
The site of this famous glass house was just east of the foot 
of Grant street on the bank of the river. The claim has 
been made that 'Hara & Craig established the first manu- 
factory for flint glass in Pittsburgh, and while there is evi- 
dence that experiments in the manufacture of flint glass- 
were made in one of the pots of their furnaces, by a Mr. 
William Price, who had recently come over from London, 
and that Craig & 'Hara contemplated the enlargement of 

[ 134 ] 




BENJAMIN BAKEWELL, ESQ. 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

their works to include this branch of the business, there is 
nothing reliable to show they carried out their plans. Other 
houses for the manufacture of flint glass followed Bakewell 
and Company's in quick succession for those times. One 
was erected in 1809, one in 1810, and one in 1812. 

The date of the beginning of the manufacture of cut glass 
in Pittsburgh and in the United States is yet another mat- 
ter of uncertainty. In the various published references to 
this subject, so far as Pittsburgh is concerned, the dates 
1 range from 1804 to 1810. The earliest mention extols the 
workmanship of Mr. Eichbaum, whose specialty seems to 
have been chandeliers. Doubtless he was the first skilled 
cut-glass workman in Pittsburgh, but owing to the difficul-- 
ties which attended the manufacture of flint glass up to 
3809-1810, it is probable the flint glass was imported. Be 
that as it may, this branch of the industry was 
not an important factor until after the advent of the 
firm of Bakewell and Company. The next year, August 
twentieth, 1809, the Commonwealth gave the following in- 
teresting summary of the manufacturing carried on in 
Pittsburgh and vicinity: 

" Glass Works. Of these we have three in handsome 
operation, and the fourth at New Geneva, fifty miles 
up the Monongahela river. Two of these in town make all 
kinds of flint glass, tumblers, wine glasses, decanters, etc., 
to the amount of about $30,000.00 annually. The other two 
make green bottles, window glass, etc., to the value of say, 
$60,000.00 annually. Stone or pit coal is their fuel which 
costs five cents per bushel. 

'' Cotton Mills. We have two, one works 90 and the 
other contemplates working shortly 230 spindles, they man- 
ufacture cords, chambrays, jeans, dimities, etc., to the value 
of about $20,000.00 annually. The machines are set in 
motion by a pair of horses, both have wool-carding and pick- 
ing machines under the same roof. There are a few smaller 
cotton mills through the country and increasing ; wool-card- 
ing machines are numerous, some going by water and others 
by horses. Cotton brought from the Mississippi country, 
sells at twenty cents per pound. 

"■ Buttons. We have a manufactory of white metal but- 

[ 135 ] 



THE HISTOKY OF PITTSBURGH 

tons to the extent of 40 to 60 gross per week and can be 
extended. 

' * Iron Grinding Mill. One has recently come into opera- 
tion for grinding flat-irons, scythes, chisels, etc. 

' ' Iron Mongery. Of this there is about 12 or $15,000.00 
worth made annually of chisels, claw-hammers, shovels, 
chains, axes, etc. From late experiments it has been found 
that hinges and anvils can be made here to advantage. 
These anvils are cast on a thick cold iron plate which ren- 
ders them as hard as the steel faced anvils and at less than 
one-third of the price of wrought anvils, our smiths began 
to use them and highly approved of them. Ingenious and 
well contrived iron brick mills are cast at our furnace to- 
gether with large quantities of whole wire mills, etc. It 
lately cast seventy tons of cannon ball for the United States. 
We have seen a handsome small piece of this casting. Blis- 
tered and Crowly steel is made at Bedford in this State; 
the extension of this manufacture and a spade and shovel 
manufactory is much wanted in this country. We have seen 
neat pen-knives made here and we believe as good and as 
cheap as those imported of the same appearance. It is 
calculated they weave about 52,800 yards annually of linsey- 
woolsey, cotton and linen mixed which is worth upon the 
average, sixty-six cents per yard, amount to $38,848.00. 
There are also considerable quantities of rugs, table cloths, 
carpets, etc., woven. 

'* Linen. About 80,000 yards of flaxed linen, coarse and 
fine, are brought to the Pittsburgh market yearly, averaging 
from twenty-four to forty cents, some at from seventy-five 
to one hundred cents per yard, besides about ten thousand 
yards of cotton and linen mixed, and five thousand yards of 
linsey-woolsey, all made in this and neighboring counties by 
the industrious families of farm houses. 

'' Fine Threads. We are happy to say that fine and 
beautiful thread is now brought to our market. We have 
seen some of twelve dozen cuts to the pound about the 
quality of No. 28 imported. 

'' Woolen Cloth. We have seen a beautiful piece of fine 
black cloth made by Mr. John D. Bassa of Zelienople, But- 
ler County, Pennsylvania. It was made from his Merino 

[ 136 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

sheep and will bear comparison with imported cloths such 
as we buy from our merchants at from $8.00 to $9.00 per 
yard. We have also seen a piece made by Colonel David 
Hmnphreys, of Connecticut, which does honor to the patri- 
otic exertions of this wealthy manufactory, a man whose 
name will be engraven on the minds of his fellow citizens 
tor his noble labors in the encouragement of the domestic 
manufacturies of his country, particularly the importance 
of the breed of Merino sheep. There is a good deal of the 
coarser woolen cloths made by our farmers for family use, 
some is also manufactured. 

" Nails. We have seen manufactories of these in town 
which makes about three hundred tons of cut and wrought 
nails of all sizes annually. The manufacture of nails is con- 
siderable throughout this country. 

" Bridle Bits and Stirrups. A manufactory of this has 
been recently established in town and bids fair to do well. 

*' Tin, Copper and Japanned Wares. We have six man- 
ufactories briskly carried on which are supposed to manu- 
facture wares to the value of about $30,000.00 worth an- 
nually. Very heavy copper articles are made in the 
mountains. Copper and tin wares are manufactured con- 
siderably in Brownsville. Wire weaving and this business 
is carried on to a very considerable account ; sieves, riddles, 
screens, etc., can be made, we should suppose, in sufficient 
quantities to supply the whole western country. 

" Glass Cutting. This business has been recently estab- 
lished by an ingenious German (Eichbamn) formerly glass 
cutter to Louis XVI., late King of France. We have seen a 
six-light chandelier with prisms of his cutting which does 
credit to the workman and reflects honor to our country; 
however, we have reason to believe it is the first ever cut in 
the United States. It is suspended in the house of Mr. 
Kerr, inn-keeper of this place. 

** Increase of Weavers. In the year 1800 there were but 
five looms in Pittsburgh ; in 1807 there vvere eighteen, and 
at this time (1809) we have forty-four. 

" Rope Walks. We have but one of these on a small 
scale; there is one at Brownsville. 

'' Snuff and Segars. There are about five pounds of 

[ 137 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Rapee and Scotch snuff and about 800,000 segars manu- 
factured here annually, principally of Kentucky tobacco. 

'^ Flour and Whiskey. Of these articles a vast and un- 
known amount is made throughout the country; there is, 
however, too little foreign demand for the former and too 
great home consumption of the latter for the good of the 
inhabitants. 

" A House full of Machines. At the lower falls of Big 
Beaver Creek there are an oil mill, fulling mill, mill for 
boring and grinding gun barrels, a wool carding machine, 
nail manufactory and a mill for sawing whet-stones, all 
under one roof. At the same place a cotton carding machine 
and a spinning jenny, an ingenuous machine for cutting and 
forming at one stroke, cotton card teeth, a machine for 
cutting large sacks for tobacco, presses for fulling mills, and 
one for making fuller's shears. The greater part of the 
above machines are made by David Townsend, an inde- 
fatigable mechanic and one of the firm. 

" Boat and Ship Building. Kentucky and New Orleans 
boats, keels, bridges, etc., are made in great numbers on all 
our great rivers, and there is now a vessel of one hundred 
and fifty tons building on the Allegheny river about ten 
miles above this place, by Mr. Robbins. Considerable ship- 
building has been carried on at Marietta and other places 
on the Ohio, but the business has slackened by the change of 
our commercial affairs with Europe whose' system of com- 
merce seems to be that of war and plunder, and ours peace 
and justice; these powers are now at issue and the Great 
Dispenser of nations only knows how it will terminate. 

'' Pipes and Queensivare. We have a pipe factory in town 
and there is a good kind of queensware made at Charles- 
town, Virginia, together with stoneware. 

" Steam Mill. A mill of this kind has been recently erected 
in town on the corner of Water Street and Redoubt Alley, 
of construction and mechanism that does honor to human 
invention. It is calculated for three pairs of stones which, 
it is expected, will make one hundred barrels of flour in 
twenty-four hours. The running gear is all of cast iron of 
which there are nearly ten tons about it. The two cylindri- 
cal boilers which are of wrought iron are 26 feet in length 

[ 138 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

and twenty-seven inches in diameter; they consume about 
twenty bushels of coal daily which costs $1,00. The mill is 
owned by Owen and Oliver Evans, of Philadelphia, and has 
cost them^ it is said, $14,000.00. 

'' Bar Iron and Castings. Our country is rich in fur- 
naces and bricks. In the sixty mills of this place there are 
about four thousand tons of bar iron, eighteen thousand 
tons of pigs and castings and four hundred tons of slit iron 
made annually. Exclusive of what is made at these forges 
about five hundred tons of rolled and bar iron came to our 
market annually from forges in the mountains. (According 
to Swank ' the rolling and slitting mills which were in exist- 
ence in Pennsylvanie prior to 1816 neither puddled pig iron 
nor rolled bar iron, but, with the exception of Mr. Rentgen's 
enterprise, * * * rolled only sheet iron and nail plates 
from blooms hammered under a tilt-hammer.') 

'' Poivder. We have several powder mills in this country 
but their supplies are not equal to the consumption. Con- 
siderable quantities are brought from the mountains. 

'^ Saddlery. This business is carried on briskly to the 
value of about $40,000.00 worth of saddles, bridles, etc., are 
manufactured here annually. 

'^ Boots and Shoes. These are made in this place to the 
amount of about thirty-five thousand pairs of shoes and 
fifteen thousand pairs of boots annually. The most exten- 
sive manufacturer in this place is Mr. James Riddle whose 
annual sales are considerably above $7,000.00. Men's 
shoes, however, are not made to any considerable extent. 

" Hats. We have a great internal supply of hats man- 
ufactured throughout the western country. Mr. Abraham 
Watkins is allowed by the best judges to manufacture hats 
equal to any in the United States and perhaps in the world. 

'' Stockings. But a few of these are made except those 
knit in private families and that is of a coarser kind of 
woolen stockings and socks; they are, however, increasing. 

''August 30th, 1809." 

When this enumeration of the business activities of 
Pittsburgh was made, the population was about 4,000. A 
writer of the period says, that while the inhabitants were 
largely Americans, there were many Irish, some English, 

[ 139 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

French, Dutch, Scotch and Swiss, with a few Welsh and 
Italians, but that ' * notwithstanding their various fashions, 
prejudices and passions in religion and politics they were 
generally friendly to each other, hospitable and disposed to 
encourage one another." 

In 1810 the number of inhabitants had increased to 4,740, 
and the town is described at this date as containing 11 stone 
buildings, 283 of brick, and 473 of frame and log; a total of 
767. The Pittsburgh Directory, 1815, estimates the popu- 
lation in that year at 9,000. 

The building of the New Orleans, the first steamboat to 
run on western waters, at Pittsburgh in 1811, was the 
most important event that had occurred in the realm of 
commerce for many years, and did more than any other 
agency for the development and industry of the West. 
Ever since the days of William Ramsey, fifty years pre- 
vious, with his two little boats " joined together at ye 
steams by a swivel " and " worked by one man * * * 
tredding on treddlers at bottom with his feet which work 
scullers or paddles fixed over ye gunnels turning them 
round, ' ' numerous attempts had been made to improve the 
means for the propulsion of vessels. Methods of wp.ter 
transportation, in the United States at least, were as crude, 
almost, as they had been for centuries, and were limited 
to Keel boats, barges and flats propelled by oars and poles. 
Of these various types, the first and second were constructed 
over a somewhat sharp model fore and aft. They were 
long, and built with a narrow runway just inside the gun- 
wale for the use of the boatman in poling or warping the 
boat up stream. Oars were also used. A Keel boat with a 
cabin or cover filling the space between the gangways was 
termed a barge. Flat boats were built square at both ends, 
and, owing to their size and unwieldiness, it was impossible 
for them to ascend the swift waters of the Ohio and Mis- 
sissippi. They merely descended without other means than 
the force of the current and were broken up at their destina- 
tion. 

Although steam navigation was at this time a success in 
Eastern waters its practicability in the tortuous and vary- 
ing channels of the western rivers was yet an unsolved 

[ 140 ] 



BEFOEE THE CITY CHARTER 

problem. When Livingstone and Fulton and Roosevelt 
(Nicholas J.) contemplated the project of establishing 
steam navigation for these waters, they deemed it necessary 
to make thorough investigation of all conditions their entire 
length from Pittsburgh to New Orleans, before embarking 
in their enterprise. Livingstone and Fulton furnished the 
means and Roosevelt, accompanied by his wife, undertook 
the investigation. Arriving in Pittsburgh for preparation, 
in May, 1810, he built a flat boat specially suited to the pur- 
poses of the voyage and set out for New Orleans where he 
arrived six months later. In the words of his brother-in- 
law, Mr. J. B. H. Latrobe, who wrote an interesting account 
of this trip and of the building and pioneer voyage of the 
Neiv Orleans, " Cincinnati, Louisville and Natchez were the 
only places of even the smallest note between Pittsburgh 
and New Orleans. * * * m^, Roosevelt's explanations 
were listened to respectfully as he stated his purpose in 
visiting the west and narrated what steam had accom- 
plished on the eastern rivers. But he was evidently re- 
garded as a sanguine enthusiast, engaged in an impracti- 
cable undertaking. From no one did he receive a word of 
encouragement, nor was the incredulity confined to the gen- 
tlemen he met in society ; it extended to the pilots and boat- 
men, who, passing their lives on the Ohio and Mississippi, 
possessed the practical information that he wanted. They 
heard what he had to say of the experience of Fulton and 
Livingstone, and then pointed to the turbid and whirling 
waters of the great river as a conclusive answer to all his 
reasoning. That steam would ever be able to resist them 
they could not be made to understand. 

" Nothing, however, shook the confidence of Mr. Roosevelt. 
* * * The Ohio and Mississippi were problems that he 
had undertaken to study ; nor did he leave them until he had 
mastered them in all their bearings. He gauged them; he 
measured their velocity at different seasons; he obtained 
all the statistical information ^vithin his reach and formed 
a judgment with respect to the future development of the 
country west of the Alleghanies that has since been amply 
corroborated. Not only did he do this, but finding coal on 
the banks of the Ohio, he purchased and opened mines of 

[ 141 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

the mineral, and so confident was he of the success of the 
project on hand that he caused supplies of the fuel to be 
heaped upon the shore in anticipation of the wants of a 
steamboat whose keel had yet to be laid and whose very 
existence was to depend upon the impression his report 
might make on the capitalists, without whose aid the plan 
would, for the present at least, have to be abandoned. Ar- 
riving in New York in the middle of January, 1810, Mr. 
Roosevelt's report, bearing on its face evidence of the 
thoroughness of his examination, impressed Fulton and 
Livingstone with his own convictions, and in the spring of 
that year he returned to Pittsburgh to superintend the 
building of the first steamboat that was launched on the 
western waters." Of the building and launching of the 
New Orleans and its exciting trip to its first destination, 
Mr. Latrobe says : ' ' Immediately under a lofty bluff, 
called Boyd's Hill, along the Monongahela, was an iron 
foundry, known as Beelen's foundry; and in the immediate 
proximity to this was the keel of Mr. Roosevelt's vessel 
laid. * * * The size and plan of the first steamboat 
had to be determined on in New York. * * * Jt ^as to 
be one hundred and sixteen feet in length with twenty feet 
beam. (Cramer's Almanack for 1810 gives one hundred 
and thirty-eight feet as length of keel, which is doubtless 
correct.) The engine was to have a thirty-four-inch cylin- 
der and the boiler and other parts of the machine were to be 
in proportion. * * * Boat builders accustomed to con- 
struct the barges of that day, could be obtained in Pitts- 
burgh; but a ship-builder and the mechanics required in the 
machinery department had to be brought from New York. 
* * * At length, however, all difficulties were overcome 
by steady perseverance and the boat was launched on the 
seventeenth of March, and called, from the place of her 
ultimate destination, the New Orleans. It cost in the neigh- 
borhood of $38,000.00. 

' ' When it became known that Mrs. Roosevelt intended to 
accompany her husband, the numerous friends she had 
made in Pittsburgh united in endeavoring to dissuade her 
from what they regarded as utter folly, if not absolute 
madness. Her husband was appealed to. The criticisms 

[ 142 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTEB 

that had been freely applied to the boat * * * were 
now transferred to the conduct of the builder. * * * 
But the wife believed in her husband, and in the latter part 
of September, 1811, the New Orleans, after a short ex- 
perimental trip up the Monongahela, commenced her voy- 
age. There were two cabins; one aft for ladies, and a 
larger one forward for gentlemen. * * * ^y. and Mrs. 
Roosevelt were the only passengers. There were a captain ; 
an engineer, named Baker; Andrew Jack, the pilot; six 
hands; two female servants; a man waiter; a cook, and an 
immense Newfoundland dog, named Tiger. Thus equipped, 
the Neiv Orleans began the voyage which changed the rela- 
tions of the West. * * * The people of Pittsburgh 
turned out en masse and lined the banks of the Monongahela 
to witness the departure of the steamboat. * * * Heading 
up stream for a short distance, a wide circuit brought the 
Neiv Orleans on her proper course and * * * gj^e dis- 
appeared behind the first headlands on the right bank of the 
Ohio. * * * On the second day after leaving Pitts- 
burgh, the New Orleans rounded to opposite Cincinnati 
* * * and many of the acquaintances of the former visit 
came off in small boats. ' Well, you are as good as your 
word; you have visited us in a steamboat,' they said, * but 
we see you for the last time. Your boat may go down the 
river, but, as to coming up it, the very idea is an absurd 
one.' " * * * Two days later the boat reached Louis- 
ville, where the same offerings were made by the citizens as 
at Cincinnati. At a public dinner given to Mr. Roosevelt a 
few days after his arrival, a number of complimentary 
toasts were drunk, but there remained a doubt as to the 
boat's ability to navigate against the current. " Mr. Roose- 
velt invited his hosts to dine on board. * * * Suddenly 
there were heard unwonted rumblings, accompanied by a 
very perceptible motion of the vessel * * * there was 
an instantaneous rush to the upper deck * * * when 
the company found, that, instead of drifting toward the 
Falls of the Ohio the Neiv Orleans was making good head- 
way up the river and would soon leave Louisville in the 
distance down stream. * * * Mr. Roosevelt had, of 
course, provided this mode of convincing his incredulous 

[ 143 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

guests and their surprise and delight may be readily im- 
agined. ' ' The voyage from here was not resumed until the 
last week in November, owing to a low stage of water. It 
now became one of daily peril and fright, beginning with 
the thrilling passage over the Falls at Louisville, followed 
by the days of darkness attendant upon the comet of 1811, 
and the earthquake of that year, the pursuit by Indians, and 
an accident of fire on board which was happily extinguished 
before much damage was done. In due course the boat 
arrived at Natchez. " From thence to New Orleans there 
was no occurrence worthy of note." 

The New Orleans plied between Natchez and New Orleans 
as a common carrier until the winter of ISl-l, when she 
struck a snag and was lost at Baton Rouge. 

After the demonstration of the practicability of steam 
navigation of the rivers by the Neiv Orleans, other steam- 
boats were built here, and in the vicinity, in rapid succes- 
sion, among which may be mentioned the Comet, twenty- 
five tons, the Vesuvius, three hundred and forty tons, the 
^tna, three hundred and forty tons, and the Enterprise. 
According to Thurston, there were two hundred and twenty- 
six steamboats built at Pittsburgh from 1811 to 1835. For 
the same period, at Brownsville, twenty-two, and at Beaver, 
seven. The Enterprise, seventy-five tons burthen, was built 
at Brownsville in 1814, and left Pittsburgh for New Orleans 
with a cargo of ordnance in December of that year. On 
the thirtieth of May, 1817, she arrived in Louisville from 
New Orleans, having set out from the latter port for Pitts- 
burgh. This was the first steamboat to make the up-river 
trip. 

Closely connected with the advance in methods of water 
transportation is the stimulus given to the export coal trade 
which, down to this time, had not been reckoned of much 
importance. Coal had been shipped from the vicinity of 
Pittsburgh to Philadelphia by way of New Orleans in the 
ship Louisiana, in 1803, but only as ballast. It was sold, 
however, for 371/2 cents per bushel, $10.50 per ton. As the 
country east and west of Pittsburgh developed with the 
means of transportation, a new vista opened to this section 
with its wealth of fuel and its access at that date, to over 

[ 144 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

twelve thousand miles of navigable streams. (Now, owing 
to the lighter draft of the modem steel boats and the im- 
provement of waterways, over twenty thousand miles of 
inland navigation are open to Pittsburgh.) Companies were 
formed and new mines were opened. " French Creeks " — 
flat bottoms, about eighty feet long, and twenty feet wide 
and six feet deep — were built by the hundred, and the 
waters of the Monongahela and Ohio assumed a new aspect, 
bearing their numerous coal boats to the markets below. 
Nor has this feature of the commerce of Pittsburgh and 
region disappeared, for to this day the millions of bushels 
of coal afloat, waiting for a rise, or being skilfully piloted 
along the swift current in great fleets, comprises one of the 
interesting sights of the city. 

The War of 1812 was vigorously opposed by the Federal 
party, but despite the fact that the countiy was illy pre- 
pared to undertake any war whatsoever, the result was of 
immense ultimate benefit to Pittsburgh. Enterprising men 
took advantage of the lack of European imports and long, 
difficult journeys across the Allegheny mountains, and 
started manufactories to supply their own needs and the de- 
mands from the rapidly increasing population of the west. 
The first cannon which were made on contract for the fleet 
on Lake Erie were manufactured at the foundry of Joseph 
McClurg; the rigging and cordage was also manufactured 
in Pittsburgh, as has been mentioned on a previous page. 
The Governor of Pennsylvania said : * ' In proportion to 
the difficulty of access to, and commerce with, foreign 
nations, is the zeal and exertion to supply our wants by 
home manufactures. Our mills and furnaces are greatly 
multiplied. We make in Pennsylvania various articles of 
domestic use, for which, two years since, we were wholly 
dependent upon foreign nations." 

The directory of Pittsburgh and its vicinity for the years 
1812-13, published by Patterson and Hopkins, Book- 
sellers, corner of Wood and Fourth streets, as a part of the 
Honest Man's Almanac, gives an interesting enumeration 
of the prominent citizens, the various lines of business and 
the professions here at the time : 
" Allison, Geo. merchant. Market St. bet 3rd and 4th. 
10 [ 145 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Alges, Thos. merchant, Market St. bet. 2nd and 3rd. 
Adams James, com. merchant, cor. Market and the Dia- 
mond. 
Anshutz, G. & C. com. merchants, Wood, bet. Water and 

Front. 
Arthurs Jas. wool carding factory, Strawberry alley, bet. 

Grant and Smithfield. 
Baldwin Henry, lawyer. Front, bet. Market and Ferry. 
Baird Thos. merchant, 4th, bet. Market and Wood. 
Beelen Anthony, merchant, Front, bet. Market and Wood. 
Bean Isaac, agent for Harmony Society, Market, bet. 3rd 

and 4th. 
Beltzhoover, Wendt & Co. Glass House, Birmingham. 
Brunot B. doctor, 4th, bet. Market and Wood. 
Bakewell B. glasshouse, Scotch Hill, bank of Monongahela. 
Brown, Barker & Butler, mfgs. of all kinds of iron ware, 

Liberty, bet. Hay and Pitt. 
Collins Thos. lawyer, n. e. cor. Diamond. 
Chaplain Jno. H. lawyer. Ferry, bet. Market and Front. 
Crossan Jas. & Co. merchants. Wood, bet. 2nd and 3rd. 
Cochran Robt. merchant. Wood, bet. 2nd and 3rd. 
Cunliffe Robt. merchant, Wood, bet. 2nd and 3rd. 
Cook David, merchant, Smithfield, bet. 4th and Diamond 

alley. 
Cramer, Spear & Eichbaum, printers and booksellers, 

Market, bet. Front and 2nd. 
Cunningham N. & Co. merchants, Market and 3rd. 
Cochran Geo. merchant, Market, bet. 2nd and 3rd. 
Cromwell, T. & J. com. merchants, cor Wood and Water. 
Cowan C. com. merchant, Front, bet. Market and Liberty. 
Commonwealth Office, n. w. cor. of Diamond. 
Cochran & Dowling, wool carding factory. Hay's alley, 

bet. Liberty St. and Diamond. 
Cowan C. rolling and slitting steam mill, Penn, bet. St. 

Clair and Pitt. 
Cowen John, bow string factory, south side Diamond. 
Douglas Samuel, lawyer. Second, bet. Market and Ferry. 
Denny Ebenezer, merchant, cor. Market and 3rd. 
Dawson Geo. doctor. Market, bet. 3rd and 4th. 
Darragh John, magistrate. Fourth, bet. Smithfield and 

Wood. 

[ 146 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

Eari William, merchant, bet. 4tli and Diamond. 
Evans David, merchant, cor. 4th and Liberty. 
Enochs Thomas, magistrate, Penn, opp. 5th. 
Eichbaum & Sons, wire factory, above the ship-yard. 
Evans George & Co. steam flour mill, Water, bet. Redoubt 

Alley and Short St. 
Engles S. & Co. printers, Wood, bet. 3rd and 4th. 
Fulton Henry, merchant. Diamond, south side and Wood, 

bet. Diamond Alley and Fifth St. 
Foster Wm. B. & Co. steam mill and tilt hammers. Grants 

Hill. 
Finch William, Morocco factory, 4th, bet. Jail Alley and 

Liberty. 
Ferris Jno. cabinet maker. Wood, bet. 3rd and 4th. 
Fleeson Rees E. merchant. Market, bet. 3rd and 4th. 
Gibson James, merchant, Market, bet. Diamond and 5th. 
Goutiere Dr. Wood, bet. Front and Second. 
Graham Wm. innkeeper. Wood, cor. Water. 
Gilland James, magistrate. Diamond, west side. 
Gorman & Co. brewery, above the shipyard. 
Gore A. F. suspender factory, Market, bet. 2nd and 3rd. 
Gormly Wm. Diamond St. west side. 
Heazleton Wm. merchant, Market, bet. Diamond and 5th. 
Hodge John, merchant, Wood, bet. Front and Second. 
Hamilton Wm. bridle bit factory. Market, bet. Water and 

Front. 
Hankart & Baker, tobacconists, etc., Fourth, bet. Market 

and Liberty. 
Hollingsworth, stocking weaver. Strawberry Alley, bet. 

Liberty and Smithfield. 
Hampshire E. coppersmith and tinner, 4th, bet. Market and 

Ferry. 
Irwin John, merchant, cor, 4th and Market. 
Irwin Boyle, Com. merchant, east side of Diamond. 
Jelly H. & J. merchants, cor. Market and Diamond, cotton 

factory and shipyard. 
Kerr John, innkeeper, Water, bet. Wood and Market. 
Kerwin James, cotton factory, 3rd, bet. Wood and Smith- 
field. 
Kendrick R. silver plater, Wood, bet. Front and 2nd. 

[ 147 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Latshaw C. merchant, corner of Wood and Second. 

Lea James, merchant, corner of Market and Second. 

Logan David & Co. com. merchants. Water, between Ferry 
and Short. 

Lewis Joel, doctor, corner of Market and Water. 

Liggett John, cabinet maker, Second, between Wood and 
Market. 

Liggett Thomas, cabinet maker, Second, between Wood 
and Market. 

Lithgow Walter, plane maker, Market, between Fifth and 
Virgin Alley. 

Lieper & McKown, steel factory, above the Shipyard. 

Livery Stable, of Sutton & M'Nickle, Diamond Alley, be- 
tween Wood and Smithfield. 

Mountain James, lawyer, Penn, between St. Clair and Pitt. 

M 'Donald John, lawyer. Wood, corner of Third. 

M'Kown Gilbert, merchant, corner of Wood and Front. 

Morrison James, merchant. Wood, between 2nd and 3rd. 

M 'Clelland George W. merchant. Wood, between 3rd and 4th. 

Mazurie Theodore, merchant, comer of Market and Front. 

M'Candless William, merchant. Market, between 3rd and 
4th. 

M 'Knight William, merchant, corner of Market and Fourth. 

Martin James, merchant. Market, between Third and 
Fourth. 

M'Clurg Joseph, merchant. Diamond, west side. 

M 'Donald John, merchant, corner of Market and Diamond. 

Mowry Peter, doctor. Diamond, east side. 

M'Cullough William, innkeeper, corner of Wood and Fifth. 

Mowry Philip, magistrate, 5th, between Wood and Market. 

Morrow William, innkeeper, comer of Wood and Fourth. 

Mercury Office, Market, between Third and Fourth. 

M'Clurg Joseph and Alexander, foundry, corner of Fifth 
and Smithfield. 

M'Cracken — — , cotton carding. Strawberry Alley, be- 
tween Liberty and Smithfield. 

Miltenberger George, coppersmith and tinner. Front, be- 
tween Market and Ferry. 

Neal Reuben, button factory, Wood, between Water and 
Front. 

[ 148 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

Oliver Joseph, bellows maker, Fourth, between Wood and 

Smithfield. 
Osborne John, merchant. Wood, between Diamond Alley 

and Fifth. 
O'Hara James, sen. com. merchant. Point brewery. Point 

glass-house, opposite Point on Monongahela. 
Oflfice of Discount and Deposit, Second, between Market and 

Ferry. 
Office of the Pittsburgh Manufacturing Company, comer of 

Market and Third. 
Patterson James, merchant, Wood, between 3rd and 4th, 

coffee-mill maker. Wood, between 3rd and 4th, cotton 

factory. Fourth, between Wood and Smithfield. 
Pennington E. doctor. Third, between Market and Wood. 
Patterson & Hopkins, booksellers, corner of Wood and 

Fourth. 
Pittsburgh Gazette Office, Market, between Front and 

Second. 
Patterson & Co. steam paper-mill, bank of Allegheny, above 

Pittsburgh. 
Pedan Edward, tobacconist, Fifth, between Market and 

Liberty. 
Post-office, Front, between Market and Ferry. 
Roberts Samuel, President of the Courts of C. P. and Q. S. 

Penn, between Pitt and Hay. 
Rcps James, lawyer. Fourth, on Grant's Hill. 
Read Thomas, merchant. Market, between Third and 

Fourth. 
Ronaud F. merchant. Market, between Third and Fourth. 
Richardson N. merchant. Market, between 3rd and 4th. 
Robinson William, com. merchant, corner of Wood and 

Front. 
Robinson George, glass-house. Water, between Grant and 

Smithfield. 
Ramage John, stocking weaver. Grant's Hill. 
Smith Samuel, merchant, corner of Wood and Front. 
Semple John, merchant, Wood, between Front and Second. 
Skelton J. P. & J. W. druggists, corner of Wood and 3rd. 
Speer Daniel, merchant, comer of Wood and Third. 
Snowden John M. printer and bookseller, Market, between 

Third and Fourth. 

[ 149 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Sutton & M 'Nickle, merchants, comer of Third and Market 
and Water, between Wood and Market, and warehouse 
in Third, between Wood and Market. 

Scully & Graham, merchants, Market, between Second and 
Third. 

Simpson Robert, grocer. Diamond, east side. 

Stevenson George, doctor, Penn, between Pitt and Hay. 

Sturgeon Jeremiah, innkeeper, comer of Diamond Alley 
and Wood. 

Stewart George, innkeeper, corner of Wood and Fifth. 

Stewart Lazarus, magistrate. Fourth, between Market and 
Wood. 

Steele William, magistrate, Front, between Market and 
Ferry. 

Stackhouse & Rodgers, steam engine makers, Second, be- 
tween Smithfield and Grant. 

Scott William, plane maker, 4th, between Wood and Market. 

Trevor & Encell, glass house, south side Monongahela, op- 
posite Wood Street. 

Vanderschot, doctor, Irwin's Alley, between Liberty and 
Penn. 

Woods John, lawyer, upper end of Penn Street. 

Wilkins William, lawyer, Water, between Wood and Smith- 
field. 

Wilkins Charles, lawyer, Wood, between Front and Second. 

Wills James, lawyer, northeast corner of Diamond. 

Watson Alexander, merchant. Market, between Front and 
Second. 

Wylie James, merchant, Market, between 2nd and 3rd. 

Wrenshall & Boggs, merchants, corner of Market and 
Fourth. 

Wills John, merchant, between Diamond and Fifth. 

Wickersham Isaac, wire-weaver. Market, between Front 
and Second. 
(The Directory for 1814 will be considerably enlarged.) " 

Among the active measures of the Federal government 
during the War of 1812 was the establishment of arsenals 
in various sections of the country for the manufacture and 
storage of arms and other munitions of war. It was de- 

[ 150 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTEE 

cided to locate one in or near Pittsburgh, and thirty-seven 
acres of land three miles above the point on the left bank of 
the Allegheny, were selected by Mr. W. B. Foster and 
Colonel Wooley, and the Allegheny Arsenal was built 
thereon in 1813-14, at a cost of over $300,000.00. The 
Arsenal Park extended from the Allegheny river to what 
was then known as the Philadelphia turnpike, now Penn 
avenue, and was divided by the Butler road, now Butler 
street. The lower park contained a military store, built of 
free-stone three stories high, two carriage and three timber 
sheds with brick pilasters, and a river wall of massive stone. 
The buildings were arranged in the form of a square, in- 
cluding the following: The main arsenal or magazine of 
arms, a three-story building with a tower forty feet square 
at the base and one hundred and twenty feet high, the 
officers' quarters, barracks, armory, smithery, carriage 
shop, machine shop, paint shop, accoutrement shop and the 
offices. The offices were of brick. The upper park, like the 
lower, was surrounded with a well-built stone wall ; it con- 
tained the public stables, of brick, three small frame build- 
ings and the powder magazine, designed to contain approxi- 
mately thirteen hundred barrels. The arsenal was opened 
by Colonel Wooley, the first Commandant, and Mrs. Wooley, 
with a most elaborate function which was both anticipated 
and enjoyed with pride and delight. 

The social, religious and intellectual side of life was be- 
coming an increasingly important factor in the community, 
as will be seen in the succeeding pages. There were eight 
churches : 

Protestant Episcopal, Rev. John Taylor, pastor. 

First Presbyterian, Rev. Francis Herron, pastor. 

Second Presbyterian, Rev. Thomas Hunt, pastor. 

Roman Catholic Chapel, Rev. William O'Brien, pastor. 

Seceders, Rev. Robert Bruce, pastor. 

Covenanters, Rev. John Black, pastor. 

Methodists, . 

German Lutheran, Rev. Jacob Schnee, pastor. 

There was also a Bible Society here in 1815, with Rev- 
erend Robert Bruce as President, and numbering six other 
clergymen and many prominent citizens as officers. The 

[ 151 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Pittsburgh Humane Society, established in 1813, with Rev. 
Joseph Stockton as President; the Pittsburgh Chemical and 
Physiological Society, organized in 1813 with Mr. Walter 
Forward as President. Harmon Denny was Secretary, 
Samuel Pettigrew, Treasurer, and Lewis Peterson, 
Librarian. The lecturer on Chemistry was Doctor B. 
Troost; Botany, M. M. Murray, Esq.; Anatomy, Dr. Joel 
Lewis ; Mineralogy, Dr. F. Aigster ; Astronomy and Natural 
Philosophy, Joseph Patterson, Esq.; Annalist, Aquila M. 
Bolton; Annual Orator, J. B. Trevor. In the May second 
number of the Gazette, there is record of the Pittsburgh 
Mechanical Society, which held meetings monthly, but it 
seems to have died out, as no further mention of it is to 
be found. There was also the Pittsburgh Permanent 
Library Company, established in the winter of 1813-14, 
with the Rev. Francis Herron as President; Aquila M, 
Bolton, Secretary; John Spear, Treasurer. Directors: 
Samuel Roberts, James Lea, Benjamin Bakewell, George 
Poe, John M, Snowden, Henry Baldwin, Dr. John Reynolds, 
J. B, Trevor, William Wilkins, Lewis Bollman, Walter For- 
ward and Robert Patterson. The library was open only 
Saturday evenings for the issuing and return of books. 
The foundation of this library consisted of an initial con- 
tribution of $10.00 by the original members and an annual 
payment of $5.00. Many of these members also loaned 
books, which brought the total number of volumes of the 
library, including those purchased, up to about two thou- 
sand. In addition to the above organizations, there were 
the various fire companies ; the Eagle, formed in 1810, and 
the Vigilant, formed in 1811 ; the Masonic Societies ; three 
weekly newspapers and two periodical literary works. 

Money had always been scarce in Pittsburgh as it was in 
all frontier towns of the period; but with the increase in 
manufacturing and commerce, barter became less and less 
the basis of business transactions. The town now boasted 
of three banks ; the Office of Discount and Deposit of the 
Bank of Pennsylvania, the Bank of Pittsburgh and the 
Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Pittsburgh, all in flour- 
ishing condition. 

In 1815 the buildings of a public character were ** a 

[ 152 ] 



BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER 

handsome octagon Episcopal church, a handsome and 
spacious Presbyterian church, also a Covenanters, Grerman 
Lutheran and Roman Catholic church, and an Academy, all 
of brick;" a court house, jail, three incorporated banks, a 
dramatic theatre, a Masonic hall, three market houses, one 
in the Diamond and two in Second street. Both the court 
house and market house in the public square, called the 
Diamond, were built of brick, and some of the mercantile 
and financial buildings were of a substantial character. 

Population in 1815. At the close of this year the popula- 
tion had increased to nearly ten thousand, including 
Birmingham (laid out 1811), and the Northern Liberties, 
afterwards Bayardstown and Lawrenceville. 



[ 153 ] 



THE HISTOBY OF PITTSBURGH 



THE MUNICIPALITY 



That the powers of self-government granted by the bor- 
ough charter were soon deemed too restrictive for the best 
interest and growth of the town, is evidenced by the revision 
asked for and granted by the State in the charter of March 
fifth, 1804. Under that act the town was to remain " for- 
ever a borough." There seems to have been no conscious- 
ness at the time that this second borough charter would, in 
a little more than a decade, be judged inadequate. The 
stimulus given to industry by the advantageous location of 
the town, with a wealth of fuel and minerals so close at 
hand, quickly placed her to the front and ranked her as the 
metropolis of industry in the west. The borough charter 
was again out-grown, and, in the year 1816, Pittsburgh was 
incorporated as a city, on the eighteenth of March, under 
the name and style, " The Mayor, Aledermen and Citizens 
of Pittsburgh." 

The city government consisted of a Mayor, Select and 
Common Councils, a Recorder and twelve Aldermen. The 
government of the corporation was vested in the Select 
and Common Councils, which had full power and author- 
ity to make such laws, ordinances and regulations as 
were necessary or convenient for the government and well- 
fare of the city, provided they were not repugnant to the 
laws and Constitution of the United States or Pennsylvania. 
All laws and ordinances were to be published and recorded, 
and, during the sessions of the Select and Common Councils, 
the doors of the respective halls wherein they assembled 

[ 154 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

were to be open for the admission of all peaceable and 
orderly persons desirous of being present at the discussion 
of by-laws, ordinances and regulations. 

The members of the Select and Common Councils were to 
meet on the second Tuesday of the next July, and on the 
second Tuesday in January, annually thereafter, to elect 
vive voce, one of the aldermen as mayor of the city. 

All freemen, citizens of Pennsylvania or of the United 
States, who had resided in Pittsburgh for a period of not 
less than one year, immediately preceding the election, and 
who, within that time, had paid a borough or city tax, were 
to meet on the first Tuesday in July next, and thereafter, on 
the first Tuesday of January annually, ' ' to elect by ballot 
fifteen persons qualified to serve as members of the House 
of Representatives of this Commonwealth, to be members 
of the Common Council for the said city for the year in 
which they shall be elected, and also, at the first election, 
nine persons qualified to serve as Senators of this Common-' 
wealth to be members of the Select Council of the said city, 
who shall, forthwith, after their election, divide themselves 
by lot into three classes, the seats of the first class shall be 
vacated at the expiration of the first year; of the second 
class, at the expiration of the second year; and of the third 
class, at the expiration of the third year, so that one-third 
may be chosen every year after such first election." The 
first election was to be conducted by the Burgess and Town 
Council of the Borough and Aldermen of the city, or any 
four of them. 

The Governor appointed the recorder and twelve alder- 
men, who were to hold office during good behavior, and who 
had all the jurisdiction, powers and authorities of justices 
of the peace, and justices of Oyer and Terminer, and of jail 
delivery of and for the city of Pittsburgh. 

The Mayor's duty, besides that of an alderman, was to 
preside in the Mayor's court when present and to promul- 
gate the by-laws, rules and ordinances of the corporation, 
and especially to attend to the due execution and fulfillment 
of the same. The Mayor was entitled to receive all the 
emoluments which the corporation attached to that office. 
It was further enacted that the Mayor, Recorder and Alder- 

[ 155 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

men, or any four or more of them, among whom the Mayor 
or the Recorder was included, had the full power and 
authority to try and determine, according to the laws and 
institutions of the Commonwealth, all forgeries, perjuries, 
larcenies, assaults and batteries, riots, etc. The clerk of the 
Mayor's court was appointed by the Governor, and received 
fees and emoluments, upon the same conditions as did the 
Clerk of Quarter Sessions, while the Recorder, also appointed 
by the Governor, was dependent upon the Coimcil for his 
pay. In the following year, however, the Legislature, by an 
Act of Amendment, allowed him a salary of six hundred 
dollars. The Recorder was allowed to issue writs of habeas 
corpus in all cases of insolvent debtors and criminal causes 
originating in the city (Act of March tenth, 1817, vetoed by 
the Governor, but passed over his veto) . The Act of Incor- 
poration did not affect the former boundaries to any great 
extent. 

The first election for city councilmen resulted in the 
choice of Messrs. William Wilkins, James R. Butler, John 
P. Skelton, Alexander Johnston, James B. Stevenson, 
James Brown, Paul Anderson, Richard Robinson, John W. 
Johnston, George Evans, John Caldwell, Thomas McKee, 
David Hunter, John Carson and J. W. Trembley for Com- 
mon Council, with William Wilkins as President and Silas 
Engles, Clerk. The first members of Select Council were : 
Messrs. James Ross, James Irwin, William Lecky, John 
Rosebergh, Mark Stackhouse, Richard Geary, William 
Hays, George Stevenson (Dr.) and Samuel Douglass, with 
James Ross as President and James Riddle, Clerk. The 
business of the first meeting was the adoption of by-laws 
and a corporation seal. At the second meeting of the 
Councils, Major Ebenezer Denny was elected the first 
Mayor. The first Clerk of the Mayor's court was John 
Gilland. The first aldermen of the city were, Ebenezer 
Denny, John Darragh, William Steele, Philip Mowry, 
Lazarus Stewart, Thomas Enoch, Phillip Gilland, James 
Young, Robert Graham, John Hannan, John M. Snowden, 
Matthew B. Lowrie. The first recorder of the city was 
Charles Wilkins, son of Gen, John Wilkins. 

At the time of the incorporation of the city, the bottom 

[ 156 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

land between the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, was 
well covered with residences, business houses and factories. 
The streets and alleys within the city limits were: Penn 
and Liberty streets (now avenues), running parallel with 
the Allegheny. Crossing Penn and Liberty, starting at the 
point ; Water, Marbury, Pitt, Cecil 's alley, St. Clair, Irwin, 
Irwin's alley, Hand and Wayne streets. From Liberty, 
running parallel with the Monongahela; Front, Second, 
Third, Fourth, Hammond alley (afterward Diamond alley, 
now Diamond street). Virgin alley, (now Oliver ave- 
nue) Sixth, Strawberry alley. Seventh, Plumb alley 
and Eighth streets. These were intersected by West 
and Short streets. Redoubt alley, Ferry street, Chan- 
cery lane (known as Jail alley). Market, Wood and 
Smithfield streets, Cherry alley, Grant and Ross streets. 
The constant increase in population and wealth was also 
shown by the growth of the then suburban towns ; Birming- 
ham on the " South Side," ''Alleghenytown " on the oppo- 
site side of the Allegheny, the Northern Liberties (Bayards- 
town) and Lawrenceville. The records of travellers of this 
period also mention the settlement called Pipetown, on the 
east shore of the Monongahela, below Ayres' Hill. Pipe- 
town took its name from an eccentric little old gentleman 
named William Price, who manufactured clay smoking 
pipes there. Birmingham, the most industrial of these 
suburbs, was cleared and settled about 1810, and contained 
in the year 1816, fifty houses, many of which were of brick, 
one glass manufactory, an air foundry for casting many 
forms of iron goods, a saw mill run by steam, a coffee mill 
factory, a vise maker, an extensive pottery, where it is 
said " beautiful ware " was made, a market house and a 
place of public worship. The site of Birmingham or ' ' the 
South Side " was originally a part of the estate of John 
Ormsby, an officer in the army of General Forbes, and was 
granted him at the close of the War in 1763, in considera- 
tion of his services. Carson street was, in the early days, 
the Washington Pike, the main road between Pittsburgh 
and Washington. Pennsylvania, where it connected with the 
great National Pike by a branch road. Bayardstown, the 
first suburb on the Allegheny above the town, was laid out 

[ 157 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

by George A. Bayard and James Adams in 1816, and Law- 
renceville by William B. Foster, who came from Virginia 
in 1811. Mr. Foster intended to call his tract Fosterville, 
but at about that time Captain Lawrence fell while fighting 
his ship, the Chesapeake, on Lake Erie, and Mr. Foster 
named the town Lawrenceville, in honor of the hero. 
( The growth of business in Pittsburgh steadily increased 
/ after the year 1810, and the part played by her manufac- 
, tures, during the War of 1812, brought the district into 
prominence as a political factor in the affairs of the nation. 
This was emphasized by a visit from President Monroe in 
1817. The custom of the Chief Magistrate of the nation 
visiting various sections of the country was instituted by 
Washington, during the first year of his administration, 
when he visited the New England States in his private 
coach. James Monroe was the next President to follow his 
example, making a trip to the north and west, during the 
summer of 1817, to examine the fortifications and arsenals 
of the seaboard and interior, and in September he spent a 
week in Pittsburgh. The free navigation of the Mississippi 
was demanded by the merchants of Pittsburgh at the begin- 
ning of the nineteenth century, as their trade was inter- 
cepted by the Spaniards who controlled New Orleans. 
James Ross of Pittsburgh, United States Senator from 
Pennsylvania, in 1803, under the pressure of his con- 
stituency, even went so far in the Senate as to propose the 
seizure of New Orleans, while Robert Livingstone, repre- 
senting the United States at the Court of France, began 
negotiating, with the assistance of James Monroe, the Spe- 
cial Envoy, to obtain access to the sea. This resulted 
through their skillful diplomacy, in the purchase of the 
entire Louisiana Territory from Napoleon Bonaparte for 
fifteen million dollars. Although fourteen years had 
passed, President Monroe was popular with the people of 
Pittsburgh and was received with enthusiasm. He arrived 
on Friday, the fifth of September, 1817, and, according to 
the Gazette of September ninth, " no exertion was spared 
and no mark of attention omitted to render the reception to 
the distinguished guest cordial and respectful. He was met 
a few miles outside the city by the Committee of Arrange- 

[ 158 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

ments and conducted to the ferry where an elegant barge^ 
rowed by four sea captains awaited his approach." He 
entered the city in the midst of the firing of the national 
salute, the sounds of music, and the loud acclamations of 
the citizens. He was received with military honor by Cap- 
tain Irwin's Company of Volunteer Light Infantry. A 
coach and four awaited to convey him to his lodgings, but, 
observing that the authorities of the city were on foot, he 
chose to walk. The procession was the most imposing that 
had ever passed through the streets of Pittsburgh. Citizens 
of all walks of life were in line, including the clergy, the 
principal and professors of the Academy and others en- 
gaged in education. The procession moved to the residence 
of William Wilkins where a reception was held. On Satur- 
day morning the city ofiicials waited on him, and an address 
was delivered by James Eoss, who was then President of 
the Select Council and Chairman of the Committee of Ar- 
rangements. This was followed by the address of the Presi- 
dent, in which he touched upon the accomplishment of the 
free navigation of the Mississippi, the rapid growth of this 
section of the Union in agriculture, manufactures and the 
useful arts, closing with his best wishes for the welfare of 
the city. He visited the Arsenal that same day, and Sunday 
morning attended the Episcopal Church; in the afternoon, 
the Presbyterian. Monday he visited the manufacturing 
establishments, and Tuesday, left for Washington over 
the United States Turnpike, by way of Brownsville. 
Thus ended Pittsburgh's grandest holiday and most im- 
portant civic entertainment up to that time. 

The foresight and progressiveness of the men of that day 
were marked by the successful enterprise of connecting 
Pittsburgh, Birmingham and Allegheny by bridges, that 
intercourse betwen the towns and the surrounding country 
might be facilitated. Charters for the erection of these 
bridges were granted by the State in 1810, but were allowed 
to lapse. New charters were granted in the winter of 1816, 
and books were opened in April for subscriptions to the 
stock for erecting the bridges, and the next month, the 
necessary amount having been subscribed, the letting of the 
contracts was soon announced. 

[ 159 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

The Commissioners named for these bridges were among 
the first citizens of the town; those for the Monongahela 
bridge were, for Pittsburgh: William Wilkins, James 
Ross, Thomas Baird, John Thaw, David Pride, Philip Gil- 
land, 0. Ormsby, C. Latshaw, James Brison, S. Douglass, 
Jacob Beltzhoover. Those for the Allegheny bridge were, 
for Pittsburgh: William Robinson, Jr., James O'Hara, 
Thomas Cromwell, William Hays, George Shiras, William 
Anderson, James Adams; for Allegheny: Robert Camp- 
bell, Hugh Davis; for Harmony: Abraham Zeigler; for 
Butler : John Gilmore and John Potts ; for Beaver : Robert 
Moore and Thomas Henry. 

The construction of the two bridges was similar. The 
material used was wood and iron, the ranges of wooden 
arches resting on stone piers; the sections of the arches 
were bolted together with removable iron bolts to facilitate 
repairs, and the flooring was suspended from the arches by 
iron bars an inch square. 

The Monongahela bridge was first opened for passengers 
at the end of the year 1818, and the Allegheny bridge about 
two years later. The Monongahela bridge cost $102,000.00, 
and the Allegheny bridge $80,000.00. 

A list of the manufactories of Pittsburgh, the number of 
hands employed, and the output of each was ordered by the 
City Councils, in the year 1817. This enumeration fairly 
summarizes the industrial conditions in the first year under 
the city charter. 

BUSINESS. No. 

Auger maker 1 

Bellows maker 1 

Blacksmiths 18 

Brewers 3 

Brush makers 3 

Button maker 1 

Cotton spinners 2 

Copper and tinsmiths 11 

Cabinet makers T 

Currier 1 

Cutlers 2 

Iron foundries 4 

Gunsmiths and bit makers 3 

Flint glass factories 2 

Green glass factories 3 

[ 160 ] 



Hands 


Amount of 


Employed. 


Product. 


6 


$3,500 


3 


10,000 


74 


75,100 


17 


72,000 


7 


8,000 


6 


6,250 


36 


25,518 


100 


200,000 


43 


40,000 


4 


12,000 


6 


2,000 


87 


180,000 


14 


13,800 


82 


110,000 


92 


130,000 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Hands Amount of 

BUSINESS. No. Employed. Product. 

Hardware merchants . , . , 2 17 18,000 

Hatters 7 49 44,640 

Locksmith 1 7 12,000 

Linen manufactories 1 20 25,000 

Nail manufactories 7 47 174,716 

Paper maker 1 40 23,000 

Pattern maker 1 2 1,500 

Plane makers 3 6 57,600 

Potter fine ware 1 5 8,000 

Eope maker 1 8 15,000 

Spinning machine maker 1 6 6,000 

Spanish brown manufactory 1 2 6,720 

Silver plater 1 40 20,000 

Steam engine makers 2 70 125,000 

Steam grist mills 2 10 50,000 

Saddlers 6 60 86,000 

Silversmiths, &c 5 17 12,000 

Shoe and boot makers 14 109 120,000 

Tanners 7 47 58,860 

Tallow chandlers 4 7 32,600 

Tobacconists 4 23 21,000 

Wagon makers 5 21 28,500 

Weavers 2 9 14,562 

Windsor chair makers 3 23 42,600 

Woolen manufactories 2 30 17,000 

Wire drawer 1 12 6,000 

White lead factory 1 6 40,000 

Total manufacturies in the above 148 

" Hands Employed 1,280 

" Value of Products $1,896,366 



In addition there were the following trades returned by 
committee of which no details of hands and products were 
furnished by " conductors." 



Chair makers 

Currier 


... 3 
... 1 

2 


Printers 

Plane maker , 


..... 6 
1 


Cabinet makers 


Blacksmiths 

Shoemakers , 

Saddlers .4 

Sillv Dyer 

Stone cutters 


21 


Cotton carder 

Comb maker 


... 1 
1 


23 

2 


Coach maker 


1 


1 


Copper plate printers .... 


... 2 

... 3 

... 4 

1 


. .. .. 6 


Book binders 


Tallow chandlers , 


3 


Hatters 


Thinners , 


5 


Gilder 


Weavers 


15 


Machine makers 

Nailers 


... 2 
... 5 


Wire worker 

CoflFee mill maker 


1 

1 



II 



[ 161 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

These latter 111 manufactories employed 357 hands, mak- 
ing a total of 259 factories and manufactories employing 
1,637 hands, with an annual product of $2,266,366.00. 

There were also ship yards, a wool carding machine, a 
screw and auger manufacturer, and a bedstead and spring 
manufacturer which were not noted in the above list. 

This enumeration made a deep impression throughout the 
Western country, and two years later, in 1819, the me- 
chanics and manufacturers of the city and vicinity organ- 
ized the Pittsburgh Manufacturing Association, the object 
of which was to promote and invigorate the spirit of 
domestic industry. Mr. George Sutton was elected Presi- 
dent of the Association, and Mr. George Cochran, chief clerk 
or agent. A large brick warehouse was opened on Wood 
street, between Front and Second streets, for the reception 
and sale of the various articles of manufacture, together 
with such other merchandise as was consigned for sale-. 
No commission was charged for the sale of articles manu- 
factured by members of the Association. Other articles, 
such as country produce and raw materials, iron, lead, wool, 
cotton, sugar, salt, whiskey, bacon, hogs lard, butter, cheese, 
flaxseed oil, hogs bristles, linen, yarn, and rags, as well as 
money, were taken in payment for manufactures. At the 
opening of the Association there were offered for sale: 
Axes, adzes, and augers, balances patent, bellows smith, 
brushes, buttons, bridle bits, and bridles, blank books, 
biscuit and crackers, castings, copper stills, counter weights, 
castor frames and crewets, chairs and cabinet ware, cutlery, 
coffee mills, domestic cloth and cord, cassinet and shawls, 
drawing chains, edged tools, furniture mounting, grind- 
stones, window glass, 8x10, 10x12, 11x18, gun barrels, 
hackles, hatchets and hose, hammers, hats, bar and rolled 
iron, nails, patent plows, and mould boards, planes, paper 
No. 1, 2, 3, etc., plated bridle bits, stirrup irons, bridle 
mounting, shot, men's and women's saddles, scale beams, 
steelyards, saw mill irons, soap, shovel and tongs, tobacco, 
tin ware, copper and iron teakettles, tacks and springs, 
coach, gig and riding whips at Philadelphia prices, recti- 
fied and common whiskey, waffle irons, wire work, with a 
variety of articles manufactured in Pittsburgh not enu- 

[ 162 ] 




PITTSBURGH ABOUT 1825; FROM AN OLD DINNER PLATE, MADE BY CLEWS OF 
STAFFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND. 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

merated above. It is recorded tliat this Association handled 
annually, for many years after 1823, sixty thousand dollars 
worth of Pittsburgh manufactures, and a ten per cent, divi- 
dend was declared yearly; however, its day of usefulness 
ceased with the development of commercial methods, and 
other organizations took its place. 

At this time an added impetus was given to the already 
important iron industry by the erection of the Union Rolling 
Mill, in 1819, by Baldwin, Robinson, McKnickle and Beltz- 
hoover, on the bank of the Monongahela. There are extant 
some accounts of '' rolling mills " and '' rolling and slitting 
mills ' ' in Pittsburgh previous to this date ; but Swank, the 
high authority on the iron and steel industry of the United 
States, has failed, either to locate these enterprises or to 
verify the accounts of them, which in most cases read that 
such and such a firm, or person ' ' will ' ' erect a rolling mill, 
or that " there is being erected a most powerful steam 
engine * * * which puts into operation a Rolling-Mill, 
a Slitting-Mill and a Tilt-Hammer. " The last is the notice 
which appeared in the Navigator, concerning Christopher 
Cowan's so-called rolling mill in 1812. But according to 
Swank, prior to 1816, the Pennsylvania rolling mills neither 
" puddled iron nor rolled bar iron, but rolled only sheet 
iron and nail plates from blooms hammered under a tilt- 
hammer." This was doubtless the character of Cowan's 
mill. Nevertheless, to Penns3dvania belongs the credit of 
erecting the first rolling mill in the United States to puddle 
iron and roll iron bars, and this was built by Isaac Meason 
at Plumsock, near Brownsville, Fayette county, and put 
into operation in 1817, two years previous to the erection of 
the Union rolling mills. Other rolling mills were built in 
Pittsburgh at close intervals, following the erection of the 
Union Mill. In 1821 William B. Hays and David Adams, 
under the firm name of Hays and Adams, built the Grant's 
Hill Rolling Mill near the site of the present Court House. 
In 1824 Dr. Peter Schoenberger built the Juniata Iron 
Works on the bank of the Allegheny at the foot of what is 
now Fifteenth street. ( Schoenberger 's Juniata of Alle- 
gheny was built in 1827.) The Sligo Rolling Mill was built 
by Robert T. Stewart and John Lyon in 1825, and in the 

[ 163 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

same year George Lewis and Reuben Leonard built a rolling 
mill in tJie suburb, Kensington, on tlie Monongaliela. Of 
the rolling mills in Pittsburgh in 1826, according to Cramer, 
not less than four were capable of making iron from the 
pig, beside rolling and slitting. 

The toAvn was essentially a manufacturing center, supply- 
ing, to a great extent, the Western countiy with the 
products of home industry. After the removal of the double 
duties on imports which had held during the war of 1812, 
a reaction set in and resulted in the enactment of the tariff 
law of 1816. But the protection which it was hoped this 
law would insure proved a great disappointment to the man- 
ufacturing interests of the country, as foreign traders con- 
trived to evade the laws in various ways. The depression 
which followed was widespread, and the tariff continued to 
be the dominant question before Congress. Daniel Webster 
disputed the cause of the distress and attributed it to the 
' ' over-expansion and collapse of the paper system. ' ' After 
a protracted contest in both houses of Congress, a new law 
governing the tariff was enacted in 1824, reversing the 
earlier system, by making protection the object of the law, 
and revenue the incident. During this period of agitation, 
many of the industries of Pittsburgh were suspended; 
property values and prices of domestic products sank to a 
very low point; the condition became one of complete stag- 
nation, but the fresh impetus, due to the new protective 
tariff, revived business and moved the city again to the 
front in the commerce and industry of the country. 

The iron business constituted the major part of the in- 
dustry here at this time. In the Jones compilation of the 
manufactures of Pittsburgh, published in 1826, there are 
noted, in addition to the rolling mills mentioned above, the 
Pine Creek Rolling Mill, situated a few miles above Pitts- 
burgh, the McClurg, Jackson, Phoenix, Stackhouse, Alle- 
gheny, Stackhouse^ — Thornberg, Price's and the Birming- 
ham foundries. Among the nail factories are mentioned, 
the Union Rolling Mill Co., Sligo Nail Factory, Grant's Hill 
Nail Factory, Juniata, and the Pine Creek Nail Factory. 
Of steam engine manufactories there were six: The Co- 
lumbian Steam Engine Co., Warden and Arthur's, Stack- 

[ 164 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

house and Thornberg's, Brown and Binney's, M. B. Belk- 
nap's, the Pine Creek and Mahlon Rogers'. There were six 
cotton factories: James Arthur and Sons', The Phoenix, 
John Mcllroy's, James Shaw's, and Thomas Graham's. 
Near Pittsburgh was the factory of Tilford and Sons, which 
manufactured stripes, plaids, etc., also cassinets and 
woolens. Beside these there were forty-seven looms en- 
gaged in various kinds of weaving, such as coverlets, 
carpets, linens and cotton cloth. The woolen manufactures 
were somewhat limited. James Arthur and Sons, in con- 
nection with their cotton factory, also carried on the manu- 
facture of woolens, making broadcloths and cassinets, and 
Hendrick and Gibb also made woolens, their machinery 
being driven by hand power. Pittsburgh, even at this time, 
enjoyed what was termed " an enviable reputation " in the 
manufacture of glass. The glass of Pittsburgh was known 
and sold from Maine to New Orleans, and, it was stated, 
" even the Mexicans quaff their beverages from beautiful 
white flint glass made in Pittsburgh." There were, the 
Pittsburgh Glass Works on the south side, opposite the 
Point, conducted by Mr. F. Lorenz — these were the works 
established by O'Hara and Craig — and the Glass Works of 
Bakewell, Page and Bakewell, situated on Water street, 
just above Grant; of these famous houses, mention has 
been made on a previous page, and the Stourbridge Glass 
Works on Second street. This house was owned by Mr. 
^ John Robinson, and manufactured white and flint glass 
only. Paper manufacturing was also carried on here, and 
in the vicinity, to a considerable extent. There were nine 
mills, four of which were in Pittsburgh proper ; the Anchor 
Paper Mill, owned by Mr. Henry Holdship and situated at 
the corner of Ross and Brackenridge street was the 
largest paper manufacturing establishment west of the 
Alleghenies. Auother mill worthy of note was the 
Pittsburgh Steam Paper Mill owned by J. Patterson & 
Co., and located in the Northern Liberties. Flour was man- 
ufactured extensively, both in Pittsburgh and Allegheny, 
by four steam mills. Among the prominent ones may be 
mentioned the Evans Mill, the first erected in Pittsburgh; 
the Eagle, established by Anthony Beelen, but at this time 
owned by Mr. Henderson. This mill made 3,500 barrels of 

[ 165 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

flour per year, besides a large amount of feed. Sutton and 
McKnickle's Birmingham Mill was well known, as was also 
the Allegheny Steam Mill, established by William Anderson 
and owned by John Herron, Nearly all these mills fur- 
nished power for other branches of manufacturing. The 
Evans mill had attached to it a plow factory; Herron 's saw 
mill was connected with his flour mill in Allegheny, and 
there was a turning and boring mill at Sutton and Mc- 
Knickle's Birmingham mill. In addition to the industries 
noted above, there were tv/enty-f our smitheries which made 
various kinds of tools, such as shovels, axes, etc. The 
leather industry was divided among nine tanneries. The 
more important were owned by Hays, Caldwell and Peters ; 
Thompson, Brown and McCaddon; Bayard and Sample; 
and Robert Mcllhinny. Saddlery was manufactured ex- 
tensively by John Little and by Hanson, Brice and Plum- 
mer and Co., the latter firm conducting two establishments. 
Many other industries receive more or less mention in this 
compilation which is too exhaustive to give in detail here. 
They are included in the subjoined complete list of indus- 
tries and the value of their product. 

INDUSTRY Value of Products. 

Iron $559,000 

Nails 309,000 

Castings 132,610 

Steam engines 152,800 

Cotton goods 200,488 

Woolen goods 33,667 

Glass 131,804 

Paper 82,400 

Brass, tin and copper ware 73,000 

Smitliwork and other metallic manufactures. . 82,000 

Woodwork 177,000 

Spirituous and malt liquors 60,000 

Flour 36,000 

Boards, brick and stone 37,500 

Leather, shoes and saddlery 236,000 

Potteries 6,180 

Ropes, twines, etc 15,000 

Tobacco, cigars and snuff 53,000 

Wire work 10,000 

Salt 8,000 

White lead 23,100 

Miscellaneous manufactures 135,000 

Total $2,553,549 

[ 166 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

The attention of the outside world was becoming more 
and more attracted to this inland hive of industry, and the 
visits of distinguished travellers multiplied. The year 1825 
was notable for the visit of General Lafayette, the friend 
of the Americans in their struggle for independence. In 
honoring this distinguished hero the enthusiasm of the citi- 
zens of Pittsburgh made the event one of unusual promi- 
nence. The General, with his family, arrived in town — or 
rather, at Braddock's Field, the home of George Wallace, 
Esq. — from Elizabethtown via. barge on the Monongahela. 
He was met by a Committee on Arrangements, Captain 
Murray's troop of Light Dragoons, and some prominent 
citizens, all of whom tendered to him a cordial greeting and 
the freedom of the city. He spent the day in viewing the 
Arsenal, the manufactories of the city and other points of 
interest. His headquarters were at Darlington's Hotel, 
where he received the crowd of admiring visitors, many of 
whom were Revolutionary veterans, his compatriots in 
arms. Addresses were made by Hon. Charles Shaler and 
others. These were followed in the evening by a grand 
ball at Colonel Ramsey's and, the next day, by a visit from 
the school children of the city, a public dinner given by 
Colonel Ramsey and further visits to the manufactories. 
At the Pittsburgh Glass Works of Bakewell, Page and 
Bakewell, he was presented with two large cut glass vases 
which had been made especially for the occasion. On the 
morning of the third day, accompanied by Harmar Denny 
and Charles H. Israel, Esq., he departed for Erie, escorted 
out of town by the Light Dragoons and a battalion of Pitts- 
burgh Volunteers. 

The need for public improvements resulted, during the 
years 1824 to 1830, in the passing of several ordinances, 
some of which, however, did not materialize until several 
years later, and then only after the enactment of other 
ordinances for the same purposes. Ordinances were en- 
acted for the construction of water works and authorizing 
loans for the same, February sixteenth, 1824; February 
sixth, 1826 ; October twenty-ninth, 1827, and June thirtieth, 
1828. The works were first put into operation in December 
of 1828 ; but owing to the weakness of the mains, frequent 

[ 167 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

repairs were necessary, and it was not until the following 
year that they became measurably satisfactory. Previous 
to the installation of the water works, public and private 
wells and one horse water carts were the sources of supply. 
There was an ordinance passed in 1826, prohibiting the 
erection of wooden buildings within certain limits, and ordi- 
nances for the construction of city gas works were passed 
in 1827, 1829; but it was not until after the ordinance of 
April thirteenth, 1835, that work was actually begun on the 
plant, wliich, after two years, was completed and the city 
was first lighted with gas April fifth, 1837. Experiments 
in gas lighting had been made, however, in 1829, when 
Lambdin's Museum and Gallery of Paintings (established 
1828) was lighted with gas. 

The year 1826 witnessed the passage of the Bill authoriz- 
ing the Pennsylvania Canal, and the completion, at an op- 
proximate cost of $183,092.00, of the State Prison in Alle- 
gheny county in accordance with the Act of March third, 
1818. The commissioners named for the prison were: 
James Ross, Walter Lowrie, David Evans, William Wilkins 
and Dr. George Stevenson. The plot upon which the prison 
was built was donated by the town of Allegheny, and was 
situated at what is now Sherman avenue and the City Park, 
on or near the site of the present conservatory. The 
architecture of this building was classic, and its demolition 
has always been deplored by the better element of the com- 
munity, as it could, with credit, have been converted to 
other public purposes. It was built of stone in the Norman 
style of architecture, with circular towers at each end of 
the facade, and presented a most pleasing sight from every 
point of view. 

The rapid development of the West increased the neces- 
sity for more and better means of conununication from the 
seaboard to the head waters of the Ohio. Lake Erie was 
now connected with the Hudson river by the Erie Canal, 
and it was the deflection of western trade through New 
York State that roused Pennsylvania to a realization of the 
importance of quicker and cheaper transportation across 
the State. In the achievement of the Pennsylvania Canal, 
connecting the Ohio and Delaware rivers, Pittsburgh was 

[ 168 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

^' again represented by lier leading citizens on the Board of 
/ Canal Commissioners, appointed by the Governor, in 1825, 
/ for the purpose of making surveys for canals in Pennsyl- 
I vania and to superintend their construction. These com- 
missioners were William Darlington, John Sargent, Robert 
Parkinson, David Scott and Abner Lacock. The Act of 
I'ebruary twenty-fifth, 1826, authorized the " commence- 
ment of the canal to be constructed at the expense of the 
\ state." The Western section was complete and the first 
boat entered Pittsburgh on the tenth of November, 1829. 
Subsequent acts provided for the various sections, includ- 
ing the Portage Railroad over the mountains, and a few 
years later, the sixteenth of April, 1834, a through line from 
the coast was in operation. Freight rates from Philadelphia 
to Pittsburgh were lowered about sixty-six and two-thirds 
per cent. 

The Portage Railroad was begun by the State in 1831, 
and was opened as a public highway upon the completion of 
the canal, as has been said. It was the wonder of all civil 
engineers at home and abroad for many years. It com- 
prised eleven levels or grade lines and ten incline planes, 
five on each side of the mountain, and was, from Johnstown 
to Hollidaysburg, 36.69 miles in length. The ascent from 
Johnstown to the summit was 1,171.58 feet in a distance of 
26.59 miles ; the descent to Hollidaysburg was 1,398.71 feet 
in a distance of 10.10 miles. Engines of thirty-five horse- 
power, built in Pittsburgh, were used to haul the cars, four 
at a time, up the planes. The rails used were made in 
Great Britain and cost $4-0.51 per ton. delivered in Phila- 
delphia. This road cost the State $1,634,357.69, and was in 
use about twenty years, when it was superceded by the 
Pennsylvania Railroad, which ran over the mountains with- 
out the use of the planes. During its first year the Portage 
Railroad carried fifty thousand tons of freight and twenty 
thousand passengers. The passenger fare from Pittsburgh 
to Philadelphia, by the Canal, Portage Railroad and the Co- 
lumbia Railroad, was twelve dollars, and the trip consumed 
three days and nineteen hours. 

The canal entered Pittsburgh from Allegheny by an 
aqueduct. The " Basin," as it was called, at what is now 

[ 169 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Eleventh street and Penn avenue, was the final point of dis- 
tribution and collection for freight and passengers. The 
warehouses of the transportation companies were located 
along ' ' slips ' ' or branches leading from the Basin. The 
main canal extended to tlie Monongahela through a tunnel 
which entered Grant's Hill near the corner of Grant and 
Seventh streets and emerged near Try street. 

The manufacturing interests of Pittsburgh and vicinity 
continued to multiply in the marvelous industrial growth 
of the country. The tariff policy of the government ' ' pro- 
tection, the object and revenue the incident of the law " had 
worked well with the majority of the industries; but the 
woolen manufacturers did not prosper in competition with 
foreign goods, and when they began to clamor for more pro- 
tection, all the manufacturers of Pittsburgh, supported by 
the citizens, the press and the State Legislature, took an 
active part in the general demand for a higher tariff. The 
" Tariff of Abominations " of 1828 was the direct result, 
and its provisions for the protection of the manufacturing 
interests of the North were extreme. 

Allegheny, Birmingham, Northern Liberties and the 
lesser suburbs kept pace with the progress of the city, and 
on the fourteenth of April, 1828, Allegheny and Birming- 
ham were incorporated into boroughs, and the following 
year, on the twenty-third of April, Northern Liberties be- 
came a borough. 

Following this, an Act for dividing the city into four 
wards " for general election purposes " was passed by the 
Legislature on the fourth of December, 1829. The previous 
unequal division had caused " great inconvenience in con- 
ducting the general elections of the city, ' ' and the Act pro- 
vided, in the first section : That ' ' So much of the said city 
lying north of the center of Liberty Street shall be one 
ward, to be called the North ward ; and so much of said city 
as is included between the center of Liberty and Market 
Streets and the River Monongahela shall be one ward, to be 
called the West ward; and so much of said city as is in- 
eluded in the following boundaries beginning at the foot of 
Market on the Monongahela, thence up the center of Market 
Street to Fifth Street, thence along the center of Fifth 

[ 170 ] 




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THE MUNICIPALITY 

Street to Grant, thence down the center of Grant to Fourth 
Street, thence along the center of Fourth Street and the 
line of Farmers' and Mechanics' turnpike road to the city 
line, and thence to the river aforesaid and down the same 
to the place of beginning, shall be called the South ward, 
and so much of said city as lies east of the center of Liberty 
Street and Fifth Street and the boundaries of the South 
ward above named, shall be one ward, called the East ward. 
* * * Section two of this Act provided for election in- 
spectors for each of the wards ; section three, for the selec- 
tion of judges of elections, clerks, etc., by the inspectors; 
section four, for the election of constables ; section five, for 
fixing by Select and Common Council, a place for holding 
elections." 

As an epitome of local pride in the substantiality of the 
city's growth, after thirteen years in municipal dress, and 
as an expression of the people's faith in its future, an 
excerpt from the Statesmen of August nineteenth, 1829, is 
illustrative, and displays the same characteristics that 
have been ever dominant in the upbuilding of the city in 
industrj^, science and the mechanical arts. 

*' Our city at this present moment, has better prospects, 
and more substantial and diversified objects of improve- 
ment, wealth and prosperity, and a greater certainty of the 
fulfillment of the hopes and anticipation of the citizens, in 
relation to its future destiny, than at any former period. 
We have an active, enterprising population, and it is almost 
exclusively of the laboring and productive kind. It is made 
up of manufactures and mechanics. And as the facilities of 
intercourse and exchange with surrounding neighbors are 
increased, and they are daily increasing, it gives a new 
incentive to industry and adds to the amount and variety 
of our establishments, and increases our corporate and indi- 
vidual resources. We are not cursed with the extremes of 
poverty or wealth — none are so rich as to be enabled to 
neglect the personal superintendence and management of 
their professions ; and few so poor as to be unable to pro- 
cure a stock sufficient to commence some business that is 
both honorable and profitable, 

' * It has often been remarked by strangers, that they have 

[ 171 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

seen no place so entirely free from drones and loungers as 
Pittsburgh. With the means we possess, and our disposi- 
tion and ability to use them to advantage, our city must 
continue to flourish and prosper, even though we should not 
be favored with any artificial or adventitious helps. But 
when we contemplate the effects of the public works now in 
progress, and the increase of trade that will be afforded by 
their progress, as well as by their completion, it is impos- 
sible with any certainty, to predict what a few years will 
add to our commercial and manufacturing interests, or 
what new improvements shall form a contrast to those 
which at present exist. The Pennsylvania Canal we have 
for a certainty — boats are now passing and repassing 
opposite the city. The Ohio Canal, by means of a lateral 
canal from the Portage Summit, will soon pass its produce 
and its trade to this city and through the channel to our 
state. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal is in progress, and 
we have at least a fair prospect of having it brought to our 
doors. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad is also in rapid 
progress, and will doubtless be approved, and receive en- 
couraging enactments from our Legislature during its next 
session. These great works must have important influence 
upon the condition of the city, and cannot fail to advance its 
prosperity beyond the hopes and the anticipations of the 
most sanguine among us. 

*' The present moment is a time of pressure, and we have 
heard forebodings adverse to the hopes that we have ex- 
pressed, and prognostic of future gloom and embarrass- 
ment; but we feel a confidence amounting almost to cer- 
tainty, that the progress of improvement will not receive 
any serious or permanent check, and with their advance- 
ment Pittsburgh must rise. ' ' 



[ 172 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

The enumeration of the city of Pittsburgh and vicinity, 
in the latter part of the year 1830, was as follows : 

Pittsburgh — 

North Ward 3,028 

East Ward 3,184 

South Ward 4,606 

West Ward 1,750 

12,568 

Alleghenytown 2,807 

Bayardstown 2,018 

Birmingham, along the south bank of the river to the 

mouth of Saw Mill Run 1,149 

Lawrenceville, Pipetown, Hayti, East Liberty and the 

remaining part of the township 3,919 

9,893 

Total of Pittsburgh and Environs 22,461 



/ In 1820 the population of the city proper was 7,248 ; in- 
/crease in ten years, 5,320, or seventy-three per cent. 

1830-1840. ' ' Pittsburgh is a manufacturing town which 
will one day become the Birmingham of America." This 
prophecy was being fulfilled. At the beginning of this 
decade Pittsburgh ranked as the first manufacturing town 
in the Union. Her citizens looked back with pride over the 
solid growth that had been accomplished, and to the future 
with confidence and enthusiasm. Her public men in 
National and State Legislatures constantly labored for her 
advancement. The State spared no effort to maintain and 
increase the advantages of this natural entrepot between 
the east and west, the north and south. Commerce in- 
creased by means of the State roads, canals and the grow- 
ing steam navigation of the rivers. Standing in the midst 
of an immense coal formation and adjacent to an abundance 
of material, manufacturing thrived. In 1835 the manu- 
facturing and commercial business was estimated at 
$15,000,000.00, and the commission and forwarding busi- 
ness, value of goods arriving, handled and passed through 
by wagon and boat, at $50,000,000.00. 

During the spring of 1831, four or five stages left Phila- 
delphia daily for Pittsburgh, and in 1835, from Pittsburgh; 
there were four daily lines of stages and two daily canal 
packet lines to the east, and four daily lines of stages, and 

[ 173 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

one daily packet line to the west, north and south. But, not- 
withstanding her prosperity, the plans of the Baltimore and 
Frederick Railroad Company, in 1831, to push their road 
further inland caused a great deal of apprehension in Pitts- 
burgh, because it was feared that traffic bound for the great 
west would, after leaving the railroad, be deflected to 
"Wheeling ; therefore, a turnpike from Pittsburgh to Union- 
town was advocated with a great deal of earnestness by the 
newspapers and business men, as was also the improvement 
of the Monongahela by stackwater or otherwise. But there 
was an opposing faction, which, while they were always for 
progress, did not fear the railroad as a competitor of the 
canals and turnpike to any great extent. They admitted, 
however, that railroads would '' be useful to carry mails, 
passengers and valuable light goods where time is of more 
importance than cost of transportation, ' ' 
j Along the line of the canal were many thriving villages, 
I Tarentum, laid out by H. M. Brackenridge in 1829, Leech- 
\ burg on the Kiskiminetas, Saltsburg and many others, each 
the center of a rich mining, agricultural or lumber region, 
all paying tribute to Pittsburgh. Millions had been spent 
and millions more appropriated by National and State 
Legislatures for internal improvements, and prophecies as 
to the future greatness of the city were universal. A law 
granting the citizens of Pittsburgh the right to elect a 
mayor from the body of the people, instead of leaving that 
privilege solely to the Board of Aldermen, was enacted at 
the 1833-1834 session of the Legislature. A great deal of 
attention was given to municipal and county improvements ; 
the opening of new streets and street paving were constant, 
and the protection of the banks of the rivers from the 
devastation of floods was attended to, after the inundation 
of February, 1832. The plague of cholera having been 
brought to the city by a negro from the south in October, 
1832. a Sanitary Board was constituted and extreme vigi- 
lance was exercised to prevent the spread of the disease. 
Several druggists dispensed medicines free to aid the 
work of the Board, and in a few weeks the scare was over, 
less than forty persons, mostly colored, having died. 
A valuable addition to the resources of Pittsburgh came 

[ 174 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

in 1833 ; a well was drilled on the south side of the Monon- 
gahela, six hundred and twenty-seven feet deep, from which 
seven thousand gallons of water flowed forth every twenty- 
four hours and were transformed into from twelve to fifteen 
barrels of salt. Many other wells followed and salt soon 
became a product for shipment. 

Many noted travellers, both native and foreign, visited 
the city, among them Daniel Webster, who came in 1833, 
and much was published in books and newspapers of other 
cities concerning the wonders and industry of this inland 
metropolis. The ceaseless energy of all, young and old, 
rich and poor, left its deep impress on all who came. But 
there was also entertainment, social and public, to lighten 
the strain; out-door amusements, horse racing, etc., and in- 
door diversions, such as parties, dancing and the theatre, 
the latter being so well patronized that a new theatre, the 
Old Drury, was built and opened to the public in July, 1833, 
and in the fall was open every evening. 

Progress continued. The population of 1830 had in- 
creased nearly one-half by 1835, but the lack of concerted 
action relative to trade and commerce was regarded as a 
hindrance to the best growth of the city, and resulted during 
the winter of 1835-36 in the organization of the Pitts- 
burgh Board of Trade for the " proper direction of all 
commercial movements, to encourage and extend the facili- 
ties of transportation and generally to take proper meas- 
ures for the extension and regulation of the trade and com- 
merce of this city." The next year, April third, a charter 
was obtained. 

In accordance with the State Act of 1834, providing for 
public schools, two were opened in 1835, and by 1837 there 
were five public schools well filled with the children and 
youth of the city and suburbs. By Act of Legislature, in 
1837, the four wards of the city, instead of being designated 
West, South, East and North, were numbered First, Second, 
Third and Fourth, respectively, and the borough of North- 
ern Liberties was incorporated as the Fifth Ward. There 
was a local insurance company, the Pittsburgh Navigation 
and Fire Insurance Company, to protect shipping and busi- 
ness. The city was lighted by gas from the works erected 

[ 175 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

in 1836, and the water system was being extended yearly; 
a new court house and jail were projected and their erection 
begun on the site of the present county buildings. The 
Court House was completed in 1842 and the Jail (the third) 
in 1843. The architect of this Court House was John Chis- 
lett, the contractors, Coltart and Dilworth. The building 
was one hundred and sixty-five feet in length by one hun- 
dred feet in breadth, the Jail being connected in the rear. 
The architecture was of the Grecian order with a massive 
double portico of two rows of fluted pillars in front, six in 
each row, and each six feet in diameter. The entablature 
and pediment were bold and the dome graceful. It was 
built of polished yellowish gray sandstone obtained from 
the neighboring hills. The building consisted of three 
stories. The basement was vaulted with grooved arches 
and was divided into ten rooms, each thirty-two by twenty- 
five feet, for offices and public records. This part of the 
building, at least, was supposed to be fire proof, but all 
delvers into the early records of Pittsburgh and Allegheny 
county know too well that it was not. The principal story 
had a central rotunda, sixty feet in diameter and eighty feet 
in height, from which led out four court-rooms, each forty- 
five feet square, with two jury-rooms of smaller dimensions. 
The height of the building, to the top of the lantern sur- 
mounting the dome, was one hundred and forty-eight feet, 
the dome itself being thirty-seven feet at its base and sup- 
ported internally by seven Corinthian columns, the whole 
combining strength, simplicity, lightness and grace in an 
unusually agreeable manner. The entire building covered 
an area of seventeen thousand feet and cost about 
$200,000.00. 

In considering the general development of Pittsburgh, its 
industries, commerce and transportation, a close insepara- 
ble relation to the tariff and monetary legislation of the 
nation is obvious. Her fortunes have risen or fallen, gen- 
erally, as the national tariff laws have been favorable or 
unfavorable ; and essentially so, as her products must come 
into competition with like products of foreign output at a 
greater or less advantage, according as the protection inci- 
dent to their manufacture is increased or decreased. Hence 

[ 176 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

the desires and needs of Pittsburgh have always received 
important consideration in forming the industrial and com- 
mercial laws of the nation. 

Acknowledged now as the '^ Seat of Manufacture in the 
United States " no opportunity for more secure entrench- 
ment in this position was ever allowed to pass. Whenever 
a movement was made by the less industrial sections to 
lower the protection established by the '' American Sys- 
tem," or whenever there was a movement against internal 
improvements, it was pounced upon and fought vigorously, 
from every conceivable standpoint, by individuals, corpora- 
tions, legislative representatives and the press. 

The tariff of 1828 developed, in the Southern States 
where the dominant industry was agriculture, the Doctrine 
of Nullification. When President Jackson, in his first mes- 
sage to Congress in 1829, declared against appropriations 
for internal improvements and began his war on the United 
States Bank, he was stamped at once as against the manu- 
iifacturing interests of the country. He practically re- 
iterated his first message in 1830, but the sentiment in Con- 
gress was so strong against him that several bills for 
internal improvements were passed and received his 
signature. He again attacked the United States Bank in 
his message of 1831, and recommended, in substance, a tariff 
for revenue only, with " incidental retaliation." Pitts- 
burgh began the attack against a lower tariff policy, even 
before Jackson took the matter up in his message to Con- 
gress. The memory of the hard industrial condition after 
the enactment of the tariff law in 1816, and the promise 
for the future under the existing regulations of both the 
tariff and monetary systems, stimulated every man to take 
up the fight. One of the most important of the " tariff 
meetings ' ' was held on the evening of October twenty-first, 
1830, when a number of the prominent manufacturers and 
business men made addresses, and elaborate resolutions 
were unanimously passed. The causes of distress were 
attributed to the *' influence of southern politics on all " 
that was dear to the freemen of the Northern and Middle 
States, and to the excessive importation of foreign manu- 
factures, which acted as a continuous drain upon the 
12 [ 177 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

monetary resources and which would ever, under the exist- 
ing monetary system, prevent the banking institutions from 
providing a metallic currency. The formation of societies 
in every district of the commonwealth was recommended, the 
members of which were to pledge themselves not to buy any 
article of foreign manufacture while the domestic could be 
procured. The principal object of the meeting was to make 
industry and the mechanical and useful arts the test by 
which the pretensions of public men and candidates for 
office should be tried, therefore, a '^ Working-man's 
Ticket " was recommended. A committee was con- 
stituted to publish an address to the county, setting forth 
the views and objects of the citizens assembled and to act as 
a correspondence committee. Another set of resolutions, 
unanimously passed at the same meeting, embodied some 
of the points mentioned above, and, in addition, that nothing 
would restore confidence in domestic institutions until all 
hostility to American credit and American enterprise 
ceased, that it be recommended tO' the next Congress that 
the ' ' American System ' ' of protection was the ' ' only and 
sure passport to national independence," that all party 
feelings should be buried in one common grave, that Amer- 
ica was the inheritance of freemen and ' ' not a dependency 
of foreign merchants and manufacturers," and that the 
American Press was guilty in the highest degree in per- 
mitting " foreign nations to take possession of our wealth 
and independence and draw from us millions in the precious 
metals." 

President Jackson recommended to the Congress of 1830- 
31 that each item of the tariff be considered separately, and 
it was well known at the close of the session that the Select 
Committee of the Senate on Iron was to push the matter 
to procure a reduction of the duties on iron. This was 
regarded by the manufacturers and press of Pittsburgh as 
dangerous to the life and development of the city and dis- 
trict, for its good business condition and healthy growth 
were attributed to the protection afforded by the govern- 
ment to industry and manufacturing. Congress, during this 
session, passed a tariff law which was expected to calm the 
discontent of the Southern States. This tariff, while more 

[ 178 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

moderate than the tariff of 1828, was highly protective. 
The purpose was to reduce the revenue without reducing 
protection — to reduce duties on articles not competitive 
with American products, but on all others to make competi- 
tion practically prohibitory. 

The new tariff failed to pacify the south and the Doctrine 
of Nullification was still more developed, and the Ordinance 
of Nullification was the outcome. As the protective system 
was left without material change, Pittsburgh continued to 
prosper. 

The next session of Congress, 1832-33, took up the tariff 
again, and Clay's Compromise Tariff was the result. It 
provided for a gradual reduction of the tariff of 1832 for 
ten years, after which duties on all imports were to be 
twenty per cent. 

But the period of unrest continued. The cloud of an un- 
settled monetary and banking system hung over the country. 
President Jackson continued his insistent war on the United 
States Bank. He even expressed doubts as to its solvency. 
Public meetings were held in Pittsburgh, recommending that 
the bank be rechartered on the ground that this great, valu- 
abie institution was intimately connected with the business 
and prosperity of Pittsburgh, and was of importance to the 
internal trade of the country for, owing to the fact that 
gold and silver had practically ceased to be a circulating 
medium of exchange for large transactions, it facilitated the 
activity and enterprise of all lines of manufacturing and 
commerce, that it provided a substantial and uniform cir- 
culating medium for the whole country, and, finally, that 
desolation and bankruptcy would be the inevitable result 
should the government withdraw the extensive circulation 
and credits of the bank. These meetings were encouraged 
and their efforts supplemented by the press, but the bill for 
rechartering the bank was vetoed by the President in 1832, 
and the next year he ordered the Secretary of the Treasury 
to remove the deposits of the bank, giving as his reasons 
that, " the bank's funds had been largely used for political 
purposes, that its inability to pay all its depositors had 
been shown by its efforts to procure an extension of time 
from its creditors in Europe, and that its four government 

[ 179 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBURGH 

directors had systematically been kept from knowledge of 
its management." Tke deposits were removed. This was 
denomiced at a large meeting in Pittsburgh as ^ ^ arbitrary, 
imjust and illegal," and it was also recorded that the 
" severe pecuniary pressure among us " was a painful 
reality which all felt, and which was due to the combined 
operation of the removal of the deposits to various local 
banks of unknown solvency (commonly known as " pet 
banks "), and the hostile and vindictive spirit which accom- 
panied and followed the act, that daily experience for the 
last twenty years had convinced the citizens of Pittsburgh 
that the extensive business of the country could not be 
transacted without a bank whose operations were co-ex- 
tensive with the Union and of undoubted credit and sol- 
vency, and that the great distress portended an ' ' awful and 
eventful crisis." The crisis came in 1837. The increased 
sale of public lands, which were bought by speculators in- 
stead of settlers, were paid for in the paper of the various 
banks. This money made up the bulk of the deposits of the 
United States Bank. ^' The insanity of speculation was in 
ample though unobserved control of the country while the 
United States Bank still held the deposits." The removal 
of the deposits deprived business men and firms of means, 
in Pittsburgh, as elsewhere, of their cash capital as there 
were no facilities for prompt exchange. The government 
refused to accept anything but gold and silver in payment 
of taxes, etc., and for public lands, and suddenly demanded 
the deposits which had been distributed among State banks. 
Banks everywhere suspended specie payment, '' rag cur- 
rency " prevailed and the panic became universal. The 
questionable value of the rag currency and the scarcity of 
specie caused the city to issue script or " shin plasters," 
which circulated generally and were accepted for city taxes, 
etc. 

The recovery was slow, but Pittsburgh, owing to her 
geographical situation, her ability to manufacture to 
the best possible advantage and her absolute necessity to the 
development of the west, did not suffer in such great 
measure as many centers farther east. It may be of interest 
to state here that the value of the manufacturing, mining 

[ 180 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

and mercantile business of the Pittsburgh District of that 
day, according to Harris' Directory for 1837, had reached 
the grand total of $31,000,000.00. 

Transportation by water assumed more and more im- 
portance toward the end of this decade. The Pennsylvania 
canal had proved such a pronounced success that a canal to 
connect Pittsburgh with Beaver was projected in 1838, and 
was opened for business in 1840, and agitation for the im- 
provement of the Monongahela by slack water navigation 
also was vigorous. The beginning of the movement for 
improvement of this river dates back to the State Act of 
March twenty-fourth, 1817, incorporating a company for 
lock navigation. Various other movements for the same 
purpose were inaugurated with a greater or less measure of 
success during the succeeding years ; but it was not until the 
organization of the Monongahela Navigation Company, 
under the Act of March thirty-first, 1836, that the most 
important advance was made. A charter was secured Feb- 
ruary twenty-second, 1837, with an authorized capital stock 
of $300,000.00. But, from that time on, numerous difficulties 
were encountered, in the way of raising sufficient funds to 
prosecute the work, and otherwise. The State had aided, 
but it was found necessary to increase the capital stock 
from time to time, in order to complete the work; an in- 
crease of $260,600.00 having been made in 1848, the com- 
pany at this time being under the presidency of J. K. Moor- 
head. Tolls were first collected in 1841. (As a result of the 
strenuous advocacy by coal operators and transportation 
companies, led by Captain John F. Dravo, the government 
purchased the works on July seventh, 1896, for 
$3,761,643.00. There were seven dams and eleven locks in 
the system.) The manufacturing of iron steam boats and 
iron canal boats, the first of which, The Valley Forge, was 
built in 1839 by Robinson and Minis and Reuben Miller, 
Jr.. and contributed largely to the importance of river and 
canal transportation. The first iron canal boat, the Ken- 
tucky, built in three sections, came over the mountains in 
1839. In the year 1840 about one hundred iron boats were 
made in Pittsburgh. As a result of these developments, the 
coal trade, as well as the other lines of commerce and in- 
dustry, rapidly increased. 

[ 181 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

During the latter part of the decade, from 1830 to 1840, 
^ * The Schemes of the Abolitionists ' ' or the National Anti- 
slavery Society, organized in 1853, which set up such an 
agitation throughout the Union, excited deep feeling in 
Pittsburgh. A party which stood for the ' ' Integrity of the 
Union " held meetings and denounced the propaganda of 
the Abolitionists as " capable of evil as effectual as the 
worst enemies of the republic could wish," that it had 
' ' sown wide the dragon teeth of discord, disunion and civil 
war," that " the fanaticism of the north had produced fear 
and frenzy in the south, ' ' and that it was time every patriot 
who had retained the sober use of his faculties should " step 
between these frenzied factions, allay the irritation of the 
south by showing them that these distant bowlings which 
their fears had magnified into the thunders of an approach- 
ing hurricane, proceeded from a few deluded but perhaps 
not malevolent persons whose ill advised efforts, if disre- 
garded, would cease to be dangerous and whose hallucina- 
tions deserved pity rather than resentment." Resolutions 
were adopted, acknowledging the right of the people of 
slavery States to ' ' provide their own remedy in their own 
way," thus maintaining " the value and stability of our 
national union," that " the Federal government of these 
United States had no more constitutional power to interfere 
with the relation of master and slave in the southern states 
than that of husband and wife in the northern states," etc. 
From that time on to the crisis of the Civil War, this Society 
flourished here as elsewhere. 

In 1840 the population of Pittsburgh proper was 21,115, 
and of Pittsburgh and environs, which included Allegheny 
(incorporated as a city 1840), Birmingham, Lawrenceville, 
etc., was 38,931. The city began to take on more and more 
the air of a municipality, with her added strength of indus- 
trial and commercial interests; the number of banks in- 
creased; new bridges, the Hand Street and the Mechanic 
Street, spanned the rivers ; additional turnpikes were being 
constructed; an orphan asylum had been built and schools 
and churches multiplied. 

1840-1850, The Iron City. From 1840 Pittsburgh was to 
be known as the Iron City. The increase in industrial and 

'l 182 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

commercial growth and wealth had continued throughout 
the country's general depression, though not as had been 
hoped. At the beginning of this decade there was confidence 
that a revival was at hand, but the year passed much as 
had the preceding two or three, without any marked ad- 
vance. The prices of all food products, as well as manu- 
factured articles, were exceedingly low. Flour was $2.75 
per barrel, wholesale, and wheat 45 cents per bushel, and all 
other farm products correspondingly low. The Compromise 
Tariff of 1833 still being operative, with its gradual reduc- 
tion of duties, and, taken in conjunction with the abnormal 
activity in trade, speculation in public lands, the absorption 
of capital in building and internal improvements, worked 
havoc among the manufacturing interests of the country, 
though the blame for the existing condition was laid at the 
door of the tariff. The Gazette proclaimed, that so long as 
we remained subject to foreign influences, without the self- 
protecting guard of duties and restrictions, " so long we 
shall be subject to the fluctuations of an unstable currency 
and its consequent suft'erings," and that " so long as goods 
imported by British manufacturers and sold by British 
agents on long credits and heavy security, so long shall we 
continue to go in debt. ' ' The surplus in the national treas- 
ury had vanished, the revenue was less than the govern- 
ment expenses, and the balance of trade had for some time 
been against us. The tariff of 1842 was, therefore, enacted. 
It provided for increased duties on most imports, with dis- 
crimination in favor of certain manufacturing interests, 
and the long looked for revival came. The " spirit of un- 
regulated speculation " had been superseded by cautious 
and sure judgment, and prosperity became more general. 

A general summary from the census of 1840 of the in- 
dustry and wealth of Allegheny county, which was becoming 
known as the Pittsburgh District, conveys a sense of the 
importance of this great business center, sixty years ago. 

Of the entire population of the county, (81,235) 607 of the 
male adult population were employed in mining; 5.278 in 
agriculture; 914 in commerce; 5,927 in manufactures; 18 in 
ocean navigation; 550 in canal, lake and river navigation; 
and 360 in the learned professions. There were 28 furnaces 

[ 183 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

in the comity, producing 6,584 tons of cast iron ; 12 blooma- 
ries and forges, producing 28,100 tons of bar iron; capital 
invested, $1,931,000.00. Bituminous coal was mined to the 
extent of 5,662,208 bushels; capital invested, $146,525.00. 
Salt manufactured, 36,875 bushels; capital invested, 
$48,500.00. Machinery manufactured, $443,500.00; hard- 
ware, cutlery (exclusive of the manufacture of small arms 
and cannon), $341,500.00. Total capital invested in man- 
ufactures of iron products, $631,675.00. Woolen manu- 
factories, 5 fulling and 5 woolen mills, value of goods 
manufactured, $25,200.00; capital invested, $17,850.00; 5 
cotton manufactories, value of goods manufactured, 
$511,200.00; capital invested, $580,000.00. Mixed manu- 
factures, $47,138.00; capital invested, $25,592.00. Manu- 
factured tobacco, value, $109,500; capital invested, 
$65,600.00. Value of hats and caps manufactured, 
$189,560.00. Leather, 32 tanneries, 10,580 sides of sole 
leather tanned and 57,350 of upper leather; capital in- 
vested, $74,400.00. Value of other manufactured articles 
of leather, $341,768.00 ; capital invested, $177,025.00. Soap 
manufactured, 493,600 pounds; candles, 637,300 pounds. 
Liquors: 93,000 gallons of whiskey from 14 distilleries; 
222,000 gallons of beers, ales and porters from 6 breweries ; 
capital invested, $163,600.00. Drugs, paints, etc., value, 
$201,800 ; turpentine and varnish, value, $3,675 ; capital in- 
vested, $246,300. Griass houses, 17 ; glass cutting establish- 
ments, 9; value of manufactured articles, $521,200.00; capi- 
tal invested, $604,000. Confectioneries, value, $30,900.00; 
capital invested, $22,300.00; 4 ropewalks, value of product, 
$108,000.00; capital invested, $31,600.00. Carriages and 
wagons manufactured, value, $203,450.00; capital invested, 
$71,000.00. Boats built, value, $103,110.00. Furniture man- 
ufactured, $249,400.00. There were 18 printing offices, 77 
binderies, 4 daily newspapers, 11 weeklies, 10 periodicals; 
capital invested, $98,000.00. To these may be added large 
numbers of flouring mills, produce mills, saw mills, oil mills, 
and paper mills. The total capital invested in the above 
manufactories, $3,554,562.00, 

In 1842 there were six daily and twelve weekly news- 
papers, beside several periodicals, published here. Three 

[ 184 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

of the Mowspapers were published in the German language. 
Three bridges crossed the Allegheny. The Monongahela 
was spanned in 1845-46 by a wire suspension bridge, de- 
signed by the famous Roebling, and means of communi- 
cation and transportation to all sections of the country con- 
stantly increased. The inhabitants continued to maintain 
their reputation for industry. Many men of that day owned 
the furnaces and factories in which they once worked as 
laborers, and many who once drove drays were now riding 
in their own carriages. The examples of men raising them- 
selves by their own efforts to positions of respect and 
affluence were nowhere more numerous. Faith and assur- 
ance were also among the chief elements of character in the 
Pittsburghers of that period; but a catastrophe which to 
this day is vividly remembered b}^ many, visited the city, 
and, temporarily, at least, turned all hope for the future 
into a gloom that verged on despair. The calamity which 
wrought the change was the great fire of April tenth, 1845, 
of which the following reliable account is given : 

"At five minutes past twelve M. on that fatal day, a fire 
broke out in an old shed on the east side of Ferry Street, 
corner of Second. It is generally believed now to have 
originated from a fire built in the yard adjoining it, by a 
washerwoman. The weather had been ' parching dry ' for 
two weeks previous to this time, and high winds had been 
carrying every particle of moisture from the buildings of 
the city, so that they were like timber prepared for burning. 
It was in this state of things that the tocsin sounded — the 
bell of the Third Presbyterian Church was struck. 

"At the very first, we are assured by an eye witness, 
there did not seem to be very much danger. For half an 
hour after the fire broke out, the wind, which had been 
blowing all morning, slept in a propitious lull. If there had 
been plenty of water, it is this gentleman 's opinion that the 
fire could have been easily put out. But the water was low 
in the reservoir, and the first efforts of the fire engines 
resulted only in sucking mud; the water did not come. It 
was then that the west wind, waking from the noontide 
siesta that our spring winds so often indulge in, arose in 
his might, and commenced to fan the incipient flames into 

[ 185 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

a mighty fire. And it was then that our city woke up to its 
true danger. As soon as the wind fairly arose again, the fire 
started forth on its destructive course with the rapidity of 
lightning. It fairly licked up the dry wooden frames on the 
west side of Ferry Street. It leaped across that street in 
different directions, but its most serious course was to the 
Globe Cotton Factory, opposite. By looking carefully at 
the diagram which we publish, the reader can trace its 
destructive track. Commencing on the corner of Ferry and 
Second Streets it crossed Ferry and spread out like a fan 
of flame through the squares to the eastward and south- 
ward. After attacking the Globe Factory it threatened the 
Third Presbyterian Church, which was only saved by the 
tremendous and unremitting exertions of the people; and 
nobly were those exertions rewarded, for by saving that 
church at least a dozen squares of the city to the northeast 
of it were saved also. A little light square on the diagram 
will be seen representing the church. The fire, turned off 
in this direction, progressed diagonally across the square 
bounded by Ferry, Third, Market and Second Streets, and 
about equally as fast up the entire square bounded by 
Ferry, Second, Market and Front streets. After crossing 
Market it extended in one broad wave on one side down to 
Water Street, and on the other diagonally up to Diamond 
Street on the corner of Wood. This was its greatest width. 
Between Wood and Smithfield the wave began to recede 
from Diamond Street to Fourth; but from Smithfield on- 
ward it swept along, four and a half squares broad, until it 
reached Grant Hill and the canal. Here it skipped over a 
number of frame and other buildings in a most unaccount- 
able way and recommenced devouring everything clear up 
to the end of Pipetown, or Kensington, as it was then 
called — a suburb then ; integral part of the city now. There 
it was arrested by the dearth of food to satisfy its fierce 
appetite. There were no more houses in that direction for 
it to burn, and the Great Fire of Forty-five was virtually 
over. The fire began at noon, and at seven o'clock in the 
evening its fury was spent. In that time it had lain the best 
part of the city in ashes — nay in the two hours from 2 to 4 
P. M. the greater part of the immense destruction was 
wrought, such was the rapidity of its spread. 

[ 186 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

*' The boundaries of the burnt district may be thus de- 
scribed : From Water Street up Ferry to Third Street (the 
Third Presbyterian Church was saved) ; up Third to Wood; 
up Wood to Diamond Alley; up Diamond Alley to Smith- 
field Street, and thence down Smithfield to Fourth Street; 
up Fourth to Ross Street, and thence to the head of Pipe- 
town — including twenty squares, and comprising from one 
thousand to twelve hundred houses, many of the ware- 
houses containing goods of immense value; they were 
grocery, dry goods, and commission houses, and their stock 
had been just laid in. The space burned over was estimated 
to cover fifty-six acres. Twenty squares in the heart of the 
city were utterly destroyed. 

^' This flourishing suburb, Pipetown, was well nigh an- 
nihilated. The course of the fire was extraordinary. The 
last large building in the city this side of it was the new 
steel works of Jones and Quigg. When the fire reached this 
it dipped down a steep bank into the canal, and consumed 
the lock-tender's house, and then rising it went completely 
over a number of frame buildings on the opposite bank, 
including the workshops of Mr. Tomlinson, the contractor 
of the iron steam ship on the stocks. Parry and Scott's 
foundry, the Gas Works, the Messrs. Phillips' glass house, 
and lighting on the glass works of Messrs. Miller & Co., 
commenced anew with the utmost fury. It took everything 
from thence up on that side of the road. About half way up 
it crossed the road and made a clean sweep of all between 
the hill and the river to the utmost end of the town. The 
greatest loss was in the Dallas Iron Works. With very few 
exceptions all the inhabitants were operatives in or de- 
pendent on the mills, and foundries; and by this calamity 
hundreds of them were rendered houseless and homeless. 

*'A committee appointed by Councils, after a full exam- 
ination of the burnt district, arrived at the following esti- 
mate of losses : 982 buildings burnt, valued at $1,500,000.00 ; 
personal property value, $900,000.00; total, $2,400,000.00. 
Subsequent estimates of the total loss to the city ranged 
from $5,000,000.00 to $8,000,000.00. The following public 
buildings were totally destroyed : The Firemen's Insurance 
Office, the Fire and Navigation Insurance Office, the Penn 

[ 187 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Insurance Office, the Mayor's Office, Tombs, Merchants and 
Board of Trade Reading Rooms, its files and valuable 
library, Philo Hall, all in one building, the Bank of Pitts- 
burgh, the Chronicle Office, the Merchant's Hotel, Wood 
Street; the Eagle Hotel, Third Street; The Monongahela 
House, the American Hotel, corner of Third and Smithfield 
Streets ; the Smithfield Hotel, corner of Second and Smith- 
field streets ; the Associate Presbyterian Church, on Fourth 
Street; the Baptist Church, corner of Grant and Third 
Streets; the Western University, the African Methodist 
Church, Second Street; the Scotch Hill Market House; the 
Monongahela Bridge and the Custom House. 

'' Relief soon began to pour in from all quarters. The 
Legislature appropriated $50,000.00 to meet the actual 
necessities of the occasion, and remitted the taxes for State 
and county purposes and on real estate in the burnt district, 
and released the business men from the payment of mer- 
cantile license. Curious to relate, Pittsburgh Councils 
failed to donate a single cent to the sufferers. The total 
contributions from outside sources slightly exceeded 
$199,566.00, of which Pennsylvania contributed $109,890.00 ; 
New Hampshire, $329.00; Massachusetts, $16,741.00; New 
York, $23,265.00; New Jersey, $557.96; Maryland, 
$11,513.00; Delaware, $1,322.00; District of Columbia, 
$2,872.00; Ohio, $10,081.00; Michigan, $100.00; Kentucky, 
$5,773.00; Tennessee, $1,259.00; Indiana, $52.00; Missouri, 
$3,883.00; Alabama, $1,652.00; Mississippi, $1,291.00; 
Georgia, $470.00; Louisiana, $7,167.00; and Europe, 
$651.00. 

" Thousands were forced to seek shelter that night, who 
had removed their property only to be burned in the streets 
or pilfered by gangs of miscreants, whose dishonesty no 
feelings of honesty could restrain when such an opportunity 
for plunder occurred. More than 2,000 families, mostly in 
comfortable circumstances, for this was the wealthiest and 
busiest part of the city, were deprived of their homes, very 
few having even a change of linen. 

^' There were but two cases of loss of life: Samuel 
Kingston, Esq., who was last seen going into his residence 
near Scotch Hill Market to remove a piano. Confused by 

[ 188 ] 




GREAT CONFLAGRATION AT PITTSBURGH APRIL IOtH. 1845. 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

the smoke lie wandered into the cellar and met his fate. The 
remains of Mrs. Malone were also discovered in the same 
vicinity. 

*' The city insurance companies of that day, the Penn, 
Firemens, Mutual, Naval and Fire paid losses amounting to 
$79,800.00. The total insurance, home and foreign, reached 
only $870,000.00. The losses of some individuals ranged 
from $5,000.00 to $200,000.00. The list of business firms 
burned out included 37 commission, forwarding and whole- 
sale grocery houses ; 6 druggists and chemists ; 5 dry-goods 
dealers; 4 hardware merchants; 2 queensware; 2 book- 
stores ; 2 paper warehouses ; 5 boot and shoe stores ; 3 livery 
stables, and 2 fire-works, in addition to a large number of 
minor establishments." 

Although the area consumed was large, not all the busi- 
ness sections of the city were destroyed. Most of the dry 
goods jobbers, hardware merchants and other large estab- 
lishments escaped. Commercial prospects were prostrated 
but not permanently. Some even lost all they possessed, 
but many of the business houses affected were strong finan- 
cially and in inherent ability to cope with such a calamity; 
their misfortunes were borne with fortitude and a spirit 
which enabled them to recover. The absence of despair 
and sullenness and a disposition of the afflicted to aid one 
another extended to all classes. 

The characteristic enterprise of the business men and 
newspapers was called upon to combat the reports spread 
abroad of the total ruin of all business — manufacturing 
and commercial. Extras were circulated to all parts of the 
country, giving the exact extent of the devastation, and the 
preparedness of all merchants to fill orders from western 
and country buyers, and they were solicited to come on as 
usual. But there was a scarcity of capital with which to 
rebuild the destroyed portions. The sudden abstraction of 
several millions was not easily overcome. The banks of the 
city could not supply it, and eastern moneyed men were in- 
vited through the press to invest in Pittsburgh enterprises. 
Capital came, and the city was soon rebuilt with more sub- 
stantiality than before the fire. Not only were old houses 
and factories rebuilt, but the multiplicity of advantages of 

[ 189 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

a location in the ' ' Iron City ' ' induced the addition of many 
new industries. 

A fact worthy of note in connection with the great fire of 
184-5, is the organization, in August of that year, of the 
Firemens ' Association of Pittsburgh and Allegheny for the 
purpose of " promoting good order, efficiency and har- 
mony " in the Fire Departments of the two cities. It was 
composed of The Eagle, Allegheny, Duquesne, Niagara, 
A¥ashington, Vigilant and William Penn Engine and Hose 
Companies, and its articles of Constitution regulated the 
equipment of the companies belonging to the organization, 
chose the chief engineers and assistants and defined their 
authority at fires, and appointed delegates to confer with 
the City Councils concerning objects of the Association. 
From the birth of this Association dates the increased 
efficiency of the Fire Department of the two cities. 

The remaining years of this decade were crowded with 
events which contributed to the advancement of the city. 
The War with Mexico established Pittsburgh as an im- 
portant manufacturing point for munitions of war and as a 
rendezvous for troops and supplies on their way south. 
Although the tariff of 1846 reduced the duties to about the 
standard of the tariff of 1833, and was drawn to insure a 
" symmetrical development of all interests," it decreased 
the protection to manufacturers. But the prosperity of the 
city continued, although there were numerous prophecies of 
another depression. Doubtless the combined influence of 
world events was responsible for the growth and steadiness 
of business generally. In addition to the War with Mexico 
there was the great famine in Ireland in 1846 ; and the short 
crops of Europe in the ensuing years; the European Revolu- 
tion of 1848 ; and the discovery of gold in California. The 
new water works, the second system, were put into opera- 
tion in 1844, and the following year Daniel Bushnell suc- 
ceeded in his attempt at towing coal by steam, having made 
the trip to Cincinnati with the Walter Forivard and three 
barges loaded with 2,000 bushels each. Thenceforth the 
market for Pittsburgh coal widened. Real estate boomed, 
the city spread out over the hills to the east, new wards 
were added — making a total of nine in 1849, and prices 

[ 190 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

advanced from eighteen to thirty-five per cent, according to 
location. 

Tlie last days of December, 1846, are remembered for the 
opening of telegraphic communication with the east. The 
first message sent through was from Adjutant-General 
Bowman to the President at Washington, and was as here 
given : 

'' Head Quarters of the Pennsylvania Militia, 

" December 29, 1846. 

*' The compliments of the Adjutant General Bowman to 
his Excellency James K. Polk, President of the United 
States. The Second Pennsylvania regiment will be organ- 
ized and ready to leave this place by the sixth of January. 
The weather mild and the river in good order. Through 
the politeness of H. O'Keilly, Esq., I have the honor con- 
ferred upon me of making the first communication by tele- 
graph west of the Allegheny mountains to the President of 
the United States over the Atlantic and Ohio Telegraph 
Line. 

'' G. W. Bowman." 

Immediately afterward the line was extended to Cin- 
cinnati and Louisville, thus placing the west, as well as the 
east, in closer communication with Pittsburgh, 

The splendid new and commodious Monongahela House, 
which had been two years in building, was opened in the 
spring of 1847 by its genial proprietors, James Crossan and 
Son. It was erected on the site of the former hotel of the 
same name (opened in April, 1841), and there was no hotel 
that could compare with it west of the mountains. A peti- 
tion was circulated calling for a public square, and steps 
were taken to improve the morals of the city. Drunkenness 
was noted by the press to be on the increase, not only among 
employees, but among those who belonged to the upper 
walks of life. Prize fights were frequent and the Sabbath 
was generally desecrated. But mention of the prosperity of 
the city became more and more frequent in the press. The 
river traffic expanded and the Board of Trade was urged to 
memorialize the State Legislature to provide a Register of 

[ 191 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Exports by river. The board was also urged to inaugurate 
means which would make it possible to ascertain the full 
character and extent of the business done in the district. 
The health of the city was remarked, and also the crowded 
condition of some of the downtown streets, particularly 
Market street. The inadequacy of the canal to insure regu- 
lar and continuous deliveries of freight, both to and from 
the east, was a subject for discussion, and the need of better 
transportation facilities by rail was advocated. Also, a 
committee was appointed in February, 1849, to prepare a 
memorial to the Legislature for the incorporation of a com- 
pany to issue stock and build a plank road to Butler. A 
Merchants' Exchange was established the first of Septem- 
ber, 1849; the first effort in this direction was made in 
1837, but it did not meet with success. 

The money market in 1848 became unsteady and was the 
source of much uneasiness, which extended into 1849, when 
the city made provision for the redemption of its scrip, the 
large issue of which was regarded by many as a menace to 
the credit of the city and the welfare of its inhabitants. 
Further issue was prohibited, and by the sale of the '^ Old 
Basin " lot, corner Fifth and (rrant, and the substitution of 
bonds, the bulk of it was called in. 

Noted public men continued to visit Pittsburgh : Henry 
Clay arrived in the spring of 1848 and was warmly received, 
and in August of 1849 President Taylor came, accompanied 
by Governor Johnston. They were met east of the city 
when, it was found, the President was using as his con- 
veyance a one-horse open buggy. He drove to Chalf ant's 
Hotel where the Councils and citizens were drawn up to 
receive him. Attorney-General Darragh for the Common- 
wealth made the address of welcome, which was responded 
to by the President. 

The census of 1850 gave Pittsburgh proper a population 
of 46,601, Birmingham 3,741, East Birmingham 1,624, 
South Pittsburgh 1,883, Lawrenceville 1,734, making a 
grand total of 55,583. 

The 1850 Directory of Pittsburgh gives this summary of 
the manufacturing interests of the city and district: 

Thirteen rolling mills with a capital of about $5,000,000.00 

[ 192 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

and employing 2,500 hands. These mills consumed about 
60,000 tons of pig metal, and produced bar iron and nails 
amounting to $4,000,000.00 annually. 

Thirty large foundries, together with a great many 
smaller ones, having a capital in all amounting to about 
$2,000,000.00 and employing not less than 2,500 hands. 
These foundries consumed 20,000 tons pig metal annually 
and yielded, with the labor employed, various articles 
amounting to about $2,000,000.00. 

Two establishments manufacturing locks, latches, coffee 
mills, patent scales, with a great variety of other malleable 
iron castings, with a capital of $250,000.00 and employing 
500 hands, consuming 1,200 tons pig metal, and producing 
goods amounting to $300,000.00 annually. 

Five extensive cotton factories, besides many smaller 
ones, with a capital in all amounting to about $1,500,000.00, 
and employing 1,500 hands; these establishments consumed 
some 15,000 bales cotton, and produced yarns, sheeting, 
batting, etc., amounting to upwards of $1,500,000.00. 

Eight flint glass manufactories with a capital of 
$300,000.00 invested, employing 500 hands, consuming 150 
tons lead and 200 tons pearl ash, and producing various 
articles of glass ware amounting to $400,000.00. There 
were 7 phial furnaces and 11 window glass manufactories, 
^ith a capital of $250,000.00, employing 600 hands, and pro- 
ducing $600,000.00 annually. 

One soda ash manufactor)^, producing 1,500 tons annually, 
employing 75 hands. 

One copper smelting works, producing 660 tons refined 
copper annually, valued at $380.00 per ton, and amounting 
to $250,000.00. 

One copper rolling mill, producing 300 tons sheeting and 
brazier's copper, amounting to $150,000.00 annually. 

Five white lead factories with a capital of $150,000.00 
invested, and producing 150,000 kegs lead annually, worth 
$200,000.00, and employing 60 hands. 

There was also a number of manufactories of the smaller 
sizes of iron, several extensive manufactories of ax;es, 
hatchets, etc.; spring steel, steel springs, axles, anvils, 
vises ; mill, cross cut, and other saws ; gun barrels, shovels, 

13 [ 193 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

spades, forks, hoes, cut tacks, brads, etc. ; an establishment 
manufacturing cast, shear, and blister steel, and files, all 
said to be of a very superior quality, besides a great variety 
of manufacturing establishments not enumerated in the 
above list. There were consumed about 12,000,000 bushels 
of coal annually in the manufacturing establishments, 
valued at $500,000.00 and an equal number of bushels ex- 
ported to the lower markets, giving employment to upwards 
of 4,000 hands. After a careful investigation it was esti- 
mated that the value of the manufacturing and other lines 
of business amounted to $50,000,000.00 for the past year. 

1850-1860. The apprehension that had existed for the 
last two or three years, of another revulsion in the business 
world, still found expression in the first years of this decade, 
and there was a feeling of gloom over the community re- 
garding the future. Many of the mills closed for lack of 
orders, and the value of manufacturing properties de- 
creased, particularly the cotton mills; this was attributed 
to the low tariff of 1846. However, various causes were 
assigned for the local depression, among them being the 
stain which had been placed upon the city by the disgraceful 
administration of Mayor Joseph Barker. He had been 
arrested, convicted and sentenced to imprisonment in the 
county jail for the offense of disturbing the public peace by 
preaching in the streets. There was a varied difference of 
opinion concerning the legality of his prosecution and pun- 
ishment. There was undoubtedly a strong religious element 
in the affair, as Barker had viciously attacked the Roman 
church. Governor Johnston pardoned him, and he was 
immediately elected mayor in January, 1850, to succeed 
John Herron. He began a vigorous war against the saloons, 
and against the inefficiency of the police committee, and his 
criticisms of the City Councils were constant and severe. 
By his order. Bishop O'Connor was arrested on the com- 
plaint that the sewer from Mercy Hospital to Stevenson 
street was a nuisance, owing to an offensive odor which, it 
was alleged, arose from it. The testimony offered to prove 
the allegation was not conclusive, but the mayor fined the 
Bishop twenty dollars, which was paid, as Barker would not 
allow an appeal, and there was no judge in town before 

[ 194 ] 



S'v .ii 





THE MUNICIPALITY 

wliom a writ of habeas corpus could be brought. His eccen- 
tricities and rashness kept him constantly in trouble. He 
was arrested twice in the latter half of October; the first 
time for assault and battery, and the second on charges 
preferred by one John Barton for assault and battery with 
intent to kill. On the first charge he was held in two thou- 
sand dollars bail, and on the second, three thousand dollars. 
He was tried in the Court of Quarter Sessions on the 
charges mentioned, and in addition, *' misdemeanor in of- 
fice." The verdict was, " guilty of misdemeanor in office," 
" not guilty of assault and battery." His administration 
happily ended with the year. 

There had also sprung up in Pittsburgh an epidemic of 
lawlessness which took the serious form of incendiarism 
and robbery. Many structures were burned, including the 
upper or Mechanic Street bridge over the Allegheny, in 
January, 1851. " House after house was burned and plun- 
dered; terror reigned; men could not travel after dark 
without being knocked down and robbed. Those who were 
forced to go abroad after nightfall carried arms to protect 
themselves." New police were appointed by Mayor Guth- 
rie. A large number of arrests were made and law and 
order again prevailed. 

Perhaps the chief cause for despondency over the city's 
prospects was its bad credit. Favoritism in city improve- 
ments had reigned for years. The various amendments to 
the charter had made matters worse instead of better. The 
city was made to pay heavily for county improvements and 
for city improvements which should have been borne by 
individuals, business corporations and firms. The bonded 
debt of the city was over a million dollars — a pretty heavy 
load in those days, considering the population. The 
amendatory Act of 1850, limiting the indebtedness of the 
city and providing for a sinking fund and for the improve- 
ment of streets, etc., brought some relief, so far as con- 
cerned direct municipal affairs, but peculiar subsequent 
acts empowered the city to lend its credit to the financing of 
railroads by the issue of bonds to buy their stock. This 
resulted in plunging the city still deeper in debt. Railroad 
bonds to the amount of $1,800,000.00 were purchased, di- 
vided as follows: 

[ 195 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Ohio & Pennsylvania Eailroad (now P. F. W. & C.) $200,000.00 

Pittsburgh & Steubenville Railroad (now Pan Handle). . 550,000.00 

Allegheny Valley Railroad 400,000.00 

Pittsburgh & Connellsville Railroad (now B. & O.) 500,000.00 

Chartiers Valley Railroad 150,000.00 

Total $1,800,000.00 



This, added to the municipal bonded debt of $1,136,624.65, 
raised the total indebtedness of the city in 1855 to $2,936,- 
624.65. The system of tax collection was inefficient. There 
were delinquents of three years ' standing ; money had to be 
borrowed constantly from local banks, and old warrants 
dating years back were presented for payment. Councils 
did not hesitate to use funds appropriated for specific pur- 
poses to pay these warrants, even exhausting the sinking 
fund, and completely overdrawing their respective allot- 
ments, and they made additional appropriations after more 
than all the estimated income for the year was, by ordi- 
nance, set apart for specific uses. The reputation of the 
city's impaired credit was spread abroad, and its bonds were 
quoted at one time as low as 75 and 69, when bonds of other 
cities were selling from 90 up. Beyond natural advantages 
there was little inducement at this time to outside capital 
and business men to locate in Pittsburgh. 

Although Pittsburgh was the last city of her class in the 
Union to succeed in increasing her transportation facilities 
by rail, the matter received some attention as early as 
August, 1827. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad had been 
chartered by the Legislature of Maryland, and at a meeting 
of citizens in Pittsburgh a committee was appointed to 
memorialize the Legislature to give the company permission 
to extend its road to Pittsburgh. From that time on, inter- 
est increased; railway conventions were frequently held, 
and many roads to extend in all directions from Pittsburgh 
were projected. In February, 1838, a petition was sent to 
the Legislature, urging the construction of a continuous line 
from Harrisburg to Johnstown that would obviate the use 
of the incline planes. ' At about the same time a memorial 
was sent to the Legislature, advocating a continuous line 
from Philadelphia to Lake Erie, by way of Pittsburgh and 

[ 196 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

Beaver. Other lines were also enthusiastically projected, 
but nothing noteworthy was accomplished until June, 1846, 
when the stock of the Pittsburgh and Connellsville Railroad 
was offered for sale in Pittsburgh and met with great suc- 
cess. The stock of the Pennsylvania Central Railroad did 
not fare so well. There was considerable feeling here at what 
was termed the " apathy of the State " in neglecting ^he 
interests of the city, hence the popularity of the Baltimore 
and Ohio stock. It was charged that the Public A¥orks 
(Canal) ring opposed the railroads; doubtless on the ground 
that an established graft was better than a prospective one. 
The strife became heated, with William Robinson, Jr., lead- 
ing the Pennsylvania Central adherents in opposition to 
William Larimer, Jr., at the head of the Pittsburgh and 
Connellsville forces. The Pennsylvania Central supporters 
sought to influence the Pittsburgh and Connellsville stock- 
holders to transfer their holdings to the Cleveland & Pitts- 
burgh Railroad. In this they were successful for the time 
being. The minority, however, continued to fight, and on 
February ninth, 1848, the directors of the Pittsburgh and 
Connellsville met and repealed its action in transferring 
their charter to the Cleveland and Pittsburgh Railroad and 
voted to extend its lines west to Connellsville, thus con- 
necting with Pittsburgh by slack water navigation. Both 
roads then began to push their lines west. Thus ended 
Pittsburgh's first great railway fight. 

In 1851 the Pittsburgh and Ohio Railroad was completed 
to Beaver, and the first locomotive, the " Salem," arrived 
July first, by the canal, and was transferred to the tracks. 
In the same year the Pittsburgh & Cleveland and the Pitts- 
burgh & Steubcnville Railroads were organized and con- 
struction was begun. The next year the Baltimore & Ohio 
and the Pennsylvania Central routes to the east were 
opened, and in 1853, work on the Allegheny Valley Railroad 
was commenced. Also, three new dams were being built in 
the Monongahela to extend slack water navigation to Fair- 
mount, Virginia. With these added means of communica- 
tion came a revival of business which, to some, promised a 
substantial and even prosperity. New business and indus- 
trial enterprises were established, and the Bank of Pitts- 

[ 197 ] 



y 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

burgh, the Merchants and Manufacturers, and the Exchange 
banks declared a semi-annual dividend of four per cent, in 
May, 1853, which, coming on the heels of a tight money 
market, resulted in a renewal of the demand made in 1850, 
after the enactment of the Bank Note Law by the State, for 
more banks or an enlargement of the capital of old ones to 
meet the expansion of business. 

There were, however, others who saw, in the revival, con- 
ditions resembling those of 1837. There was over-trading, 
over-speculation and some heavy failures in various parts 
of the country, but there was no expansion of currency. 
The conditions in Europe, the millions of annual gold pro- 
duction of California and the extensive construction of rail- 
roads were counted upon to produce increasing prosperity. 
The large borrowings for the building of roads were looked 
upon as sane because they developed the country's re- 
sources which would pay the liabilities incurred in their con- 
struction. 

An effort was made in 1853-4 to consolidate the cities of 
Pittsburgh, Allegheny and some of the adjacent boroughs, 
aggregating a population of 110,000, but the bill failed of 
passage in the Legislature. Had the consolidation taken 
place under a charter expressly providing for the debt of 
the two cities and insuring an unselfish distribution of im- 
provements and advantages, the importance of greater 
Pittsburgh as a commercial and manufacturing center might 
have been directed with good effect to the attention of the 
outside world. A writer of the period remarked that the 
history of such cities as New York, Buffalo, Cleveland, 
Chicago, Cincinnati and St. Louis, which had most rapidly 
risen to prosperity, magnitude and influence, well demon- 
strated that they owed their success principally to the con- 
stant heralding of their claims before the public, setting 
forth in various periodicals their superiorities as regards 
trade, manufacturing, advantages or profitableness of all 
kinds of investments, and so on, ending with the statement 
that ' ^ natural advantages alone will never build up a large 
city, but given, in addition, a class of merchants and busi- 
ness men who are pushing, enterprising, far-seeing and 
l^ublic spirited, who have much city pride and who take 

[ 198 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

delight in doing all in their power to advance the city's 
population, welfare and influence, the prosperity of that 
city becomes assured and established." Unquestionably 
the recent successful effort to consolidate will accomplish 
for Pittsburgh more in a decade than is shown by the his- 
tory of any two or three. 

In Pittsburgh, as well as in various other sections, there 
was a severe stringency in 1854. The enormous increase of 
banks and paper circulation in all the States was reckoned 
at $10,000,000.00. The consequent inflation of prices en- 
couraged importations, and money became scarce and dear. 
The tariff of 1846 was blamed for this. Conditions during 
the following years did not improve, but grew steadily 
worse. Railroad companies continued to borrow at home 
and abroad. Imports exceeded exports to a greater and 
greater degree and the difference was made up in specie. 
The culmination was the panic of 1857. The cause was 
attributed by protectionists to the tariff of 1846 and the 
tariff of 1857, which superseded it and reduced the rate of 
duties still more and increased the free list. While this was 
not the sole cause, taken with the ending of the Crimean 
War the year before and the revival of European industry 
and agriculture, it was an important factor which aided in 
bringing on the crash. The cautiousness of Pittsburgh's 
financial institutions in lending money and the absence of 
the spirit of speculation enabled her to withstand the storm 
better than most cities; though many banks suspended 
specie pajanent from September, 1857, until January and 
February, 1858, and business was almost at a standstill. 

The large municipal and county investments now acted 
as a boomerang. The county was unable to pay the interest 
on the bonds issued to purchase railroad stocks, and levied 
an eight-mill tax for the purpose and to provide a sinking 
fund to pay the principal. A convention, called the County 
Tax Convention, met to consider the question, and a majority 
favored repudiation of both interest and principal ($5,500,- 
000.00 of the county debt of $8,000,000.00 was contracted in 
financing railroads). The railroads were unable to pay the 
interest on the bonds, and repudiation was advocated, be- 
cause it was charged that subscriptions for their stock were 

[ 199 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

obtained through fraud and that the law prohibiting the 
sale of bonds below par had been evaded by exchanging 
them for iron and equipment, thus enabling the roads to 
dispose of them without difficulty. The citizens of Pitts- 
burgh generally, were willing to continue paying the in- 
terest, but the balance of power in the county lay with 
the repudiationists and, accordingly, a Railway Commis- 
sioner, who could carry out their principles, was appointed. 
Subsequent to this, other conventions were held through- 
out the country, and the movement against taxation in aid 
of railways became general. In February, 1859, another 
convention, the Anti-Tax Convention, was called, and reso- 
lutions were adopted opposing the payment of both interest 
and principal of the county's railroad indebtedness and 
instructing the County Commissioner not to levy a tax for 
either principal or interest. Railroad control of legislators 
and courts was charged, and the '* star chamber proceed- 
ings" of the Supreme Court in mandamus cases was de- 
nounced as unwarranted and unjust, and the forty-eight 
members of the City Councils were advised not to obey the 
writs of mandamus that had been served upon them " to 
appear in Philadelphia to show cause why absolute man- 
damus proceedings should not be issued." 

The sagaciousness of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- 
pany in gaining control of the Pennsylvania routes of trans- 
portation to the east, to the detriment of the interests of 
Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, was recognized at 
the time of its consummation by the purchase of the main 
canal line from the State for $7,500,000.00 in 1857. The 
inadequacy of the canals as a steady and competent means 
of transportation was realized as far back as 1846-47. Fre- 
quent washings away of the banks congested freight and 
were a constant expense to the State. Not only were the 
legitimate expenses of the canal heavy, but it had always 
been controlled by politicians and the incompetency of its 
officials was notorious. In fact, it was sold on the grounds 
that its management was constantly '' liable to great evil," 
and that the " liquidation of taxation was earnestly de- 
sired." Over $30,000,000.00 had been expended on the 
transportation facilities of the State, and the net income had 

[ 200 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

never been sufficient to pay the interest on the debt. Rail- 
road mania prevailed, and the value of the '' miserable 
ditches ' ' was obscured and the canal was sold. If the vast 
amount of money expended had been concentrated on the 
main line between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, there would 
have been ensured to Western Pennsylvania better and 
cheaper transportation facilities, which she has always 
needed. Its maintenance would, like the Erie Canal in 
New York, have acted as a governor in the discrimination 
in freight rates, of which there was so much complaint. 
As an example: the published freight schedule of Feb- 
ruary, 1858, on first-class freight from New York to Pitts- 
burgh, per one hundred pounds, was $1.23, to Columbus, 
Ohio, $1.15. According to this, Pittsburgh freight from 
New York, at Columbus rates, should have been but 68 
cents, a difference of 55 cents. Rates to Cincinnati were 
but $1.25, only two cents more than the rate to Pittsburgh, 
with the then additional distance of four hundred and sev- 
enty-four miles. 

In the Legislative Bill of Sale of the Public Works was a 
clause providing that, if the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- 
pany paid $1,500,000.00 more than any other bidder, it 
should be released from paying the State Canal Tonnage 
Tax forever. The Supreme Court granted an injunction to 
the Canal Commissioners, preventing the sale under this 
clause. Then the Pennsylvania Company began a vigorous 
war against the three-mill transportation tonnage tax, with 
the Philadelphia Board of Trade on the railroad side, 
against Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. A com- 
mittee from Philadelphia visited Pittsburgh on the tenth of 
June, 1858, and remained two or three days in conference 
over the proposed repeal. The discussion extended to the 
discrimination in freight rates ; the Chairman of the Phila- 
delphia Committee justifying the discrimination on the 
ground that a lowering of rates to Pittsburgh, in proportion 
to rates for points further west, would ' ' deprive the road 
of the power to meet its liabilities," and that they were com- 
pelled to carry freight within the range of competing lines 
at lower rates to secure patronage. Therefore, the road 
was compelled to lay a heavy tariff on Pittsburgh ^' in 

[ 201 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBUROH 

order to raise the wind successfully." One of the com- 
mittee said, in effect, that the repeal of the tonnage tax 
would insure a reduction in freight rates to an amount 
equal to the tax. However, their arguments were unavail- 
ing and the committee departed, unsuccessful in its at- 
tempts to win Pittsburgh to the railroad side, and the 
attempt to repeal the tax at the next session of the Legis- 
lature failed; but the Railroad Company took the matter 
up again in the session of 1860-61, and the Act for the repeal 
was approved March seventh, 1861. 

Pittsburgh was warranted in the stand it took, as subse- 
quent events have shown. The lack of faith in the promises 
of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and the fear 
of encroachments on the city's interests and property 
date back to the early part of 1853, when the company set 
at naught the condition imposed by City Councils when they 
granted the privilege of a track down Liberty street; viz: 
that the company should not engage in the forwarding 
business, and the violation of this condition was regarded 
as an interference with the business of the citizens. 

Other noteworthy events of this decade were: The visit 
in January, 1852, of Louis Kossuth, ex-Governor of Hun- 
gary, who had led an unsuccessful rebellion against Austria ; 
the building of the City Hall and Market House on the Dia- 
mond in 1852-53 ; the establishment of the Board of Health 
by Act of Legislature in 1852; the building of the United 
States Custom House, with United States court-rooms and 
Post-office, in 1853, at the comer of Fifth avenue and Smith- 
field street on the present site of the Park Building, an 
appropriation of $75,000.00 having been made by Congress 
in March, 1851 ; another visitation of cholera in September, 
1854, by which two hundred and forty-nine persons died; 
the inauguration of the use of iron in the outside structure 
of buildings, the first steps toward the improvement of 
Ohio river navigation and the reorganization of the Board 
of Trade in the same year ; and the advent of street rail- 
ways in 1859, the first of which was the Citizens Passenger 
Railway to Lawrenceville (then came the Pittsburgh & 
Birmingham Passenger Railway and the route out Fifth 
avenue to Oakland) and the first operation of the new law 

[ 202 ] 



^^^/p^= 


*4- 


^: 


% 


X- 







OLD CITY HALL. 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

in January, 1858, requiring tliat the Mayor, Treasurer and 
Controller should be elected biennially by a general vote. 
The Mayor was given the power of an alderman or a justice 
of the peace, and the Select Council the power, under certain 
restrictions, to remove the above officers. 

Perhaps the most notable event of this period was the 
holding of the National Convention in Lafayette Hall, in 
February, 1856. Subsequent to the compromise of 1850, the 
Free Soilers held a convention at Pittsburgh, declaring 
slavery a sin against God and a crime against man, and 
denouncing the compromise and the parties who supported 
it, because they were " implicated in the sin of slavery." 
Then came the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill in 1854, 
which provided that territories should themselves decide as 
to the admission or exclusion of slavery. The opponents of 
this bill, known as '* Anti-Nebraska "men, and the deflection 
to the various parties, such as the Free Soil and the Know 
Nothing, had disrupted the political parties of the north. 
Previous affiliations were renounced, and the following year 
conventions known as Republican Conventions were held 
in various States of the north, and candidates for State 
offices were nominated on platforms declaring against the 
repeal of the Missouri Compromise, the Fugitive Slave 
Law and the aggressions of slavery. 

A Republican County Convention was held in Pittsburgh 
in August of 1855, and in September, a Republican State 
Convention, at which other States were represented. A 
platform was adopted, vigorously denouncing the repeal of 
the Missouri Compromise, the Enactment of the Kansas- 
Nebraska Law and calling for concerted action of all free- 
men in resisting the encroachments of the slave power. 
The practical outgrowth of these State Republican Conven- 
tions was the National Convention of February twenty- 
second, 1856, at Pittsburgh, and the formal organization of 
the National Republican party. A national nominating con- 
vention was also arranged to meet in Philadelphia on the 
seventeenth of June. 

Many speeches were made by the nation's greatest men 
at the Pittsburgh convention, among them being Horace 
Greely's which counselled " moderation, caution and for- 

[ 203 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBUEGH 

bearance " in the Convention's consideration and treatment 
of the grave problems which threatened the Union." The 
result of this convention was the formal organization of the 
party, which adhered to the principles of the Whigs and 
Federalists and added the principle of " Federal govern- 
mental power to control slavery in the territories." 

The plea for a higher protective tariff, as the only per- 
manent guarantee of the life of manufacturing interests 
and safety from panics, again went forth from Pittsburgh 
and other manufacturing cities after the crash of 1857. The 
next tariff was the Morrill Tariff of 1860-61, by which 
specific duties were substituted for advalorem, and the 
duties on iron and wool considerably increased. 

The decade closed with very little increase in population, 
but with renewed faith in the city 's destiny, notwithstanding 
the threatenings of war which hung on the horizon. The 
population in 1860 of the city proper was 49,217. 

1860-1870. The apprehension over threatened dissolu- 
tion of the Union, caused by the South Carolina Ordinance 
of Secession, passed by that State in December, 1860, was 
somewhat allayed by the election of Lincoln. This, and 
the enactment of the new tariff law, mentioned above, 
promised a period of prosperity to the community. But 
the quick secession of other Southern States, following 
the declaration of South Carolina, brought to a crisis 
the long struggle over State sovereignty and slavery, 
and turned all hope into gloom. In the place of industry 
and commerce, came activity of military preparation and 
intense and continued excitement of war through all the 
years of the Great Rebellion. Pittsburgh played a part 
that has ever been a pride to all loyal citizens. There is, 
indeed, in the history of the city and county, so much of 
moment concerning military affairs that it has been col- 
lected and given elsewhere in these pages under an appro- 
priate heading, and only those facts which are necessary to 
a lucid treatment of the general progress of the years from 
1860 to 1870 is given here. 

Even before the outbreak of actual war, the high feeling 
for the integrity of the Union, and the willingness to sacri- 
fice life and treasure for it, were manifested in the events 

[ 204 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

which took place in Pittsburgh during the last days of 
December, 1860, and marked the first open action of the 
North against the South. For months the columns of the 
local dailies had teemed with expressions of ridicule at the 
outspoken threats of the Southern States, supplemented by 
a current of unbelief that affairs would take the serious 
form of open rebellion. All was characterized as a 
'' scare; " but when Secretary of War Floyd's order came 
to the Arsenal at Pittsburgh, close on the heels of the news 
of South Carolina's secession, to remove one hundred and 
twenty-four cannon and other munitions of war to south- 
ern military posts, the ' ' scare ' ' became a living, threaten- 
ing danger. 

Secretary Floyd's order called for the shipment of the 
cannon on the twenty-sixth of December. It included 44 
ten-inch one hundred and twenty-eight-pounder Colum- 
biads, 69 eight-inch sixty-four-pounder Columbiads, and 11 
thirty-two-pounder iron guns. The news spread quickly, 
and a call, signed by prominent citizens, was issued for a 
meeting at the Mayor's office on the twenty-fifth. General 
William Robinson presided; several addresses were made 
on the situation, the " wanton dereliction of duty of the 
President of the United States " and the *' overt act of 
treason on the part of South Carolina " in passing the 
Ordinance of Secession. It was decided to make a demand 
upon the President that the order be '' countermanded 
without delay." A committee was appointed to send a 
telegram ; it read as follows : 

'' James Buchanan, President of the United States: 

''Sir. — An order issued by the War Department to 
transfer the effective munitions of war from the Arsenal 
in this city to southern military posts has created great 
excitement in the public mind. We would advise that the 
order be immediately countermanded. We speak at the 
instance of the people, and if not done, cannot answer for 
the consequences. 

'' William Wilkins, 
*' William F. Johnston, 
'' Thomas Williams, 
'' Charles Shaler." 
[ 205 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

There was also forwarded to the President, Secretary of 
State, and Attorney-General, manuscript copies of this mes- 
sage, with a request for an immediate reply. Another 
committee was appointed to endeavor to persuade the offi- 
cers of the Arsenal to disregard the order until an answer 
to the telegram was received, and also to ascertain the 
particulars of recent shipments of arms and equipment to 
the south and the amount and character of stores at the 
Arsenal. The Commandant of the Arsenal, Major John 
Symington of Maryland, refused to give any satisfactory 
information concerning shipments of arms, etc., and stated 
that the cannon which had been ordered south were for the 
' ' equipment of two new forts on the Gulf of Mexico, ' ' and 
would be shipped unless the order was revoked at Wash- 
ington. Upon inquiry it was learned that for many days 
past, government wagons had been transferring arms and 
ammunition to the city for shipment south. There were 
some who counselled that the shipment of the cannon be 
allowed to take place, inasmuch as there was not a declared 
state of war, and resistance to the government's orders 
was pointed out as a serious offense; but the anger of the 
people could not be restrained, and they were practically 
unanimous in the determination to prevent the guns leav- 
ing the city. The Dispatch said significantly, in its issue 
the same day, December twenty-fifth, *' we suppose some 
one will tap the fire bells on the route on their making their 
appearance on Penn or Liberty streets that our people may 
witness their removal." 

Another call was issued, on the morning of the twenty- 
seventh, for a meeting to be held at 2 p. m. that day in the 
Court House. The Supreme Court room and all available 
space within the rotunda was over-crowded with excited 
men, and an adjournment to the open air was made to ac- 
commodate the throng. General Robinson again presided. 
He counselled restraint and that '' nothing resembling an 
overt act of treason should be committed." Resolutions 
were adopted stating, " First, that notwithstanding the 
notorious fact that our rulers are disarming the friends and 
arming the enemies of the Union, we feel that its friends 
are strong enough, even without other arms than their own, 

[ 206 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

to sustain the Constitution and the laws and to follow and 
to retake the guns thus ordered to be removed, in case they 
shall be traitorously employed against them. Second, that 
we therefore deprecate any interference with the said arms 
under government orders, however inopportune or im- 
politic the same may be, believing that it would give color 
to the imputation that we have no more respect for Federal 
Laws than any fellow citizens of the seceding State of 
South Carolina, and decrease our moral much more than it 
could increase our material power." The remaining 
clauses of the resolutions professed, in substance, ^ ' loyalty 
to the union of the states," fellowship with the people of 
the south, and regret that ' ' demagogues and nations should 
have been able to deceive them into a contrary belief," 
there here there was no North nor South, that the existing 
state of affairs which had occasioned the disturbance was 
deplored, that to restore confidence it behooved the Presi- 
dent to purge his Cabinet of every man who was known 
to have been giving aid and comfort to, or in any wise 
countenancing and abetting the actual or apprehended re- 
volt of any of the States against the Constitution and the 
laws of the Union; and that the sons of Pennsylvania call 
upon the President to see that no detriment came to the 
Republic while it remained in his hands. After the passage 
of these resolutions another was appended, providing that 
copies should be transmitted to the President, through 
heads of the various departments at Washington, and to 
each of the Senators and members of Congress, and also 
that the same be published in the city papers. The dis- 
senting voices to the adoption of these resolutions came 
from those who were in favor of physical resistance to the 
execution of the government's orders to ship the guns. 

Major Symington resisted the attacks that had been made 
on him by some of the papers and sent a letter to the meet- 
ing, stating that the published ' ' misstatements in regard to 
the operations of this Arsenal * * * should be cor- 
rected," and that the various orders to be filled were of 
long standing. The letter continued, giving details of 
various orders, etc. The meeting adjourned, but the people 
continued to linger about anxiously awaiting a reply to 

[ 207 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

the telegram of the twenty-fifth. It did not come, and 
indignation meetings were held daily. In the meantime 
several of the guns had been hauled to the wharf and some 
of them loaded on the transport, the Silver Wave, amid 
great excitement. On one occasion the guns and the 
soldiers escorting them were held up on the streets and 
were not allowed to continue for some hours, but happily 
there was no violence. In a few days, on January third, 
1861, the news came that the order had been recalled, and 
the community quieted down. 

An interesting explanation of the final action of the 
President in forcing Secretary Floyd to countermand his 
order was recently published in the Bulletin: There lived 
in Lawrenceville a cousin of the President, Dr. J. S. Spear, 
a noted oculist, and one time President of the Allegheny 
Cemetery Association. Realizing the danger of an open 
rupture between the government and citizens, he wrote to 
President Buchanan, detailing the state of local feeling and 
warning him that the government was incurring great 
danger of a collision in Pittsburgh. Upon the receipt of 
this letter the President commanded Secretary Floyd to 
countermand the order immediately. Had the order not 
been countermanded there is no doubt but that the guns 
would have failed to reach their destination, as the temper 
of the populace was such that, had the guns been loaded on 
the transport, they would have been sunk before they were 
a quarter of a mile from the wharf. 

The next event that startled the city and re-awoke the 
spirit of patriotism to action was the news of the fall of 
Fort Sumter, received in Pittsburgh Sunday evening, April 
fourteenth, 1861. The war had begun. Military feeling, 
which had been at a high pitch since the attack on the Fort, 
the thirteenth, at once increased to an almost uncontrolla- 
ble degree. A mass meeting was called the next day to 
meet at City Hall. The Honorable William Wilkins pre- 
sided, and resolutions were unanimously adopted, setting 
forth, in substance, that. Whereas, the National Govern- 
ment being menaced by traitors in arms who had defied its 
just authority, raised the standard of revolt, and, by hostile 
acts of war, had disturbed the public tranquillity and en- 

[ 208 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

dangered the public peace, and that it was the duty of all 
loyal and patriotic Americans, regardless of party, to aid 
the constitutional authorities in maintaining inviolate the 
supremacy of the Constitution and laws; and it was Ee- 
solved, that obligations of undying loyalty to the Govern- 
ment and Union should be now expressed, and that the 
National honor should be defended and supported against 
all assailants, and that the course which had been pursued 
by the Legislative and Executive branches of our State 
government be approved, and that Allegheny county would 
contribute her full quota of men and means in this crisis, 
and " that a committee of one hundred citizens be ap- 
pointed by the Chair, as a Committee of Public Safety, to 
see that the Patriot cause receive no detriment in this 
region. * * * " 

Two days afterward, on the seventeenth, Chairman 
Wilkins announced his selection for the Committee of 
Public Safety, and immediately the various subcommittees 
were organized, the Executive Committee, Committee on 
Transit of Munitions of War, Committee on Support of 
Volunteers Not Yet Accepted by the Government, Commit- 
tee for the Aid of Families of Volunteers, and later, the 
Subsistence Committee, etc. Under the supervision of 
this committee Allegheny county's quota of volunteers was 
speedily raised, in answer to President Lincoln's first call 
for 75,000 men. This was the beginning of its activity in 
aid of the Union cause. A record of the work accomplished 
by the Committee of Public Safety, an account of the 
Sanitary Fair of June, 1864, the fortifying of the city, and 
other interesting events in connection with the war, are 
given in another part of this volume. Not only did the 
city and county furnish soldiers for the war, but during the 
entire period, her manufacturers, merchants, and the banks 
of the city aided the government in supplying equipment, 
clothing, food, and money. On April seventeenth, 1861, 
the Board of Bank Presidents sent a telegram to the Gov- 
ernor stating that '' the Banks of Pittsburgh will cheer- 
fully respond to the call for money to meet the late appro- 
priation to be used in enabling the Government to sustain 
the Constitution and the laws." These acts of patriotism 
14 [ 209 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

were practically expressed when the entire district was in 
the midst of a severe business depression and when the 
burden of taxation was the heaviest in its history, ^ ' about 
the most dismal time in the financial affairs of the city, and 
so embarrassing and pressing were the importunities of 
creditors that it required the most adroit and skillful move- 
ments to avoid the ingenious writs and law proceedings of 
the courts to keep the city government in motion and escape 
being cast into jail for contempt of court." 

The city's railroad debt was $1,800,000.00 with interest 
due on it to the amount of $540,000.00 in addition to the debt 
of $2,308,070.00 for the city proper and its proportionate 
share of the county debt. The Supreme Court had ordered 
the county and city to pay its railroad indebtedness, but the 
County Commissioners still persisted in refusing to levy 
the necessary tax and were consequently put in jail. Mass 
meetings and the conventions of 1860 denounced the action 
of the courts in resolutions and asked for the removal of 
the whole Supreme Court bench. The jailed commissioners 
were not released until the latter part of May, 1861, when 
the county paid their fines of $1,000 each. The matter was 
not finally adjusted imtil February, 1863, when a com- 
promise was effected, the terms of which called for a con- 
solidation of bonds and coupons to January first, 1863, an 
abatement of 3i/2 per cent, being allowed to the creditors, 
which was funded at 5 per cent., and the issue of new bonds 
which were to be clear of taxation. For judgments, the 
bonds were to run for twenty years, the balance of the debt 
fifty years ; the old bonds to be deposited with the trustees 
and not to be cancelled until after the punctual payment 
of interest on the new bonds for five years. Attorneys on 
judgments and cost of court and expenses to be paid by the 
county. The settlement with the city was substantially 
the same. In addition to this condition of affairs, the city 
was flooded with depreciated bills of banks of other States 
to such an extent that it became necessary for the mer- 
chants, manufacturers, and business men to take united 
action, on the nineteenth of April, 1861, in deciding to ac- 
cept such paper only at its real worth, to refuse all de- 
preciated bank bills after May first — the notes of southern 

[ 210 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

banks were entirely refused — and to transact all business 
as far as possible on a par basis. 

The confusion in money matters continued throughout 
the war. Specie payments were suspended by nearly all 
the banks in 1860, in 1861, and again in 1863. By legis- 
lative sanction, all banks organized under the free banking 
laws of the State were allowed to suspend. The enormous 
strain, caused by taking the various issues of government 
bonds, had proved too heavy, even before the $250,000 issue 
of 1861. Then came the issue of treasury notes which 
were not redeemable on demand; and the passage of the 
National Bank Act, of February twenty-fifth, 1863, and the 
establishment of hundreds of National Banks, all of which 
contributed to the prolonging of the suspension of specie 
payments. It was almost impossible to procure small 
change in the summer and fall of 1862, and in consequence 
there was a movement started by the butchers of Pitts- 
burgh and Allegheny to relieve the condition by issuing 
25 cent '' shin plasters." But the city's past experience 
with this form of currency, and the existing confusion, 
caused by the flood of paper currency already in circulation, 
caused a protest against the contemplated action of the 
*' Association of Butchers." It was pronounced impolitic, 
inexpedient, and unlawful ; but notwithstanding the protest, 
the butchers of Allegheny issued a quantity, and one R. 
Danver, of the Association, was arrested. However, before 
the case was brought to trial, the announcement that the 
government would provide fractional currency, induced the 
recall of the shin plasters and the suit was dismissed. The 
government issued " postage currency " at the Custom 
House, which, during the hours of distribution, on account 
of the limited amount issued to each person, was the scene 
of much jostling and roughness. 

Conditions were easier in 1863 and 1864. The success 
of the Union arms stimulated investments, and securities 
were generally higher. Wild speculation ensued, which 
caused an inflation resulting in a panic in the latter part of 
April, 1864. It did not last long, however, and speculation 
and high prices prevailed, especially in the necessities, 
and the spread of the National Banking system con- 

[ 211 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

tinned though there was a great deal of hostility to it. The 
immense volume of paper money in circulation sent gold up 
until it became practically an article of merchandise, and 
the prospect of a resumption of specie payments was un- 
certain. Many foresaw a collapse. On the other hand, 
there were men eminent in business and financial experi- 
ence who protested against an early resumption, on the 
ground that the high and practically uniform premium on 
gold was essential as a basis of calculation for operations 
in all departments of commercial and manufacturing enter- 
prise. But, owing to the peculiar conditions which existed 
subsequent to the war, the looked for panic did not im- 
mediately occur. 

From the beginning of hostilities in 1861, the Government 
\had called on Pittsburgh for every variety of munitions of 
iwar, from the smallest arms to great twenty-inch guns, 
monitors, and gun boats. In fact, the first twenty-inch gun 
^ver made was cast in Pittsburgh at the Fort Pitt Foundry 
in February, 1864, by the method invented by Major Rod- 
man. The process consisted in toughening the metal as it 
cboled by playing continuous jets of cold water on all parts 
of the gun. The length of this gun was twenty feet, three 
inches, with a maximum diameter of over five feet, and a 
minimum diameter of about three feet. Wlien turned out 
it weighed about fifty-five tons, over twenty tons having 
been cut away in finishing. The weight of the shot used 
was over one thousand pounds, of the shell, seven hundred 
and fifty pounds, and the service charge was one hundred 
pounds of mammoth powder. The monitor JJmpqua was 
built in 1863. The sea-going monitor Manayunk, built 
entirely of iron by Snowden and Mason of South Pitts- 
burgh, and the river monitors Sandusky and Marietta, 
built by Joseph Tomlinson and Hartupee and Company of 
the city, were completed in the Spring of 1865. Many 
others followed. 

The various tariff acts of the war period, notably the 
Acts of 1862 and 1864, also stimulated the development of 
Pittsburgh industries to such an extent that by the end of 
the year 1866 the business, based on actual sales in all 
branches, had increased from about $42,000,000 in 1860 to 

[ 212 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

over $63,000,000, and the population had almost doubled. 
An idea of the increasing productiveness of the Pittsburgh 
district may be gained from the amount of the internal 
revenue tax of 1865, amoimting to $4,386,523.30, which was 
$1,857,591.21 over that of 1864. There were 50 glass 
factories, 31 rolling mills, 46 iron foundries, 58 oil refineries, 
33 machine shops, 12 boiler works, 7 steel manufacturies, 
10 brass foundries, 16 potteries, 5 cotton and 4 woolen 
factories, 9 plow factories, shops for heavy forging, white 
lead, chemical, saw, axe, and copper works. Over half the 
steel and one-third of the glass manufactured in the United 
States were made in Pittsburgh. The city had been built 
up by her ^' own creative energy in extracting and trans- 
mitting into forms adapted to the wants of civilized society 
the crude material with which nature had so lavishly sur- 
rounded her." 

In addition to being the busiest and greatest industrial 
center of the Western Hemisphere, Pittsburgh had lately 
become the great petroleum market of the west. The 
product of the great oil fields of Western Pennsylvania 
came down the Allegheny to Pittsburgh to be refined in its 
numerous refineries by a process invented by Samuel M. 
Kier, sometime previous to 1850, according to the assertion 
of his son, W. L. Kier. Pittsburgh in a great measure 
regulated the petroleum markets of the east. The uncer- 
tainty of river navigation hastened the completion of the 
New Castle, Franklin and Pittsburgh Railroad to the north, 
and various other roads stretched out in every direction to 
accommodate the increasing commercial relations. The 
mania for oil speculation spread to other securities; in 
January, 1866, an Exchange was established, which became 
the scene of heavy stock operations, and its quotations were 
scanned eagerly in every market of the country. In addi- 
tion, there were the Pittsburgh Petroleum Association in 
1867, and the Brokers' Association, followed by others in 
the succeeding years. 

Through the efforts of Prof. Lewis Bradley a subscription 
was raised in 1860 for the establishment of the Allegheny 
Observatory. The outbreak of the war and the consequent 
financial drain hindered its full utility for some years ; but 

[ 213 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBURGH 

in 1866, by the generosity of Mr. William Thaw and others, 
it was relieved from financial difficulties, and a. small endow- 
ment fund was established. Professor S. P. Langley was 
chosen the first Director in 1867. Under his supervision 
and that of his eminent successors. Professor James Ed- 
ward Keeler and Dr. John A. Brashear, its equipment and 
accomplishments constantly increased ; now it ranks among 
the leading observatories of the country. It was from this 
observatory, in 1869, that astronomical time was first dis- 
tributed to railroads and cities, and in 1870, over forty roads 
had adopted the "Allegheny system." 

The year 1860 was also notable for the visit of " Baron 
Renfrew, ' ' the Prince of AVales. He arrived in Pittsburgh 
on the morning of October second, and departed the follow- 
ing day. He was accompanied by Lord Lyons, Lord Bruce, 
the Earl of Germains, Lord Henchonbrook, Sir Henry Hol- 
land and the Duke of Newcastle, beside numerous attend- 
ants. Mr. George Wilson, who was then mayor of the city, 
gives his reminescences of the event in the Gazette of 
January twenty-second, 1901. A few excerpts are here 
given: "A resolution was offered (at a public meeting of 
the citizens held at the Merchants' Exchange) requesting 
the mayor to extend an invitation to the Prince who was in 
Canada. * * * In a few days I received an answer 
directed to the ' Mayor of Pittsburgh. ' This letter was in 
the handwriting of the Duke of New Castle and in it I was 
informed that the Prince was pleased to accept the invita- 
tion. * * * Committees were appointed to meet 
the party and escort it to the city * * * to receive the 
Prince at the Fort Wayne depot * * * to receive the 
Prince at the Monongahela House * * * to escort the 
party to Coal Hill and other places of interest * * * 
the Duquesne Greys consented to escort the Prince from the 
depot to the Monongahela House. * * * a vast con- 
course of people was at the depot awaiting the arrival. 
* * * In a few minutes the train came in * * * and 
on the platform of the car stood the Prince and his com- 
pany. * * * It was here that I had the honor of deliv- 
ering the address of welcome. * * * After a little con- 
fusion the parties were seated in the carriage. The Du- 

[ 214 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

quesne Greys had formed a hollow square, the Prince's 
carriage in the center, * * * Owing to the great 
crowds in the streets progress was slow and it was about 
ten o'clock when we reached the hotel. The party being 
fatigued by the journey of the day retired soon." The 
account goes on to describe the procession through the 
principal streets the next day. The city was decorated with 
American and a few British flags. The citizens cheered the 
illustrious guest, the ladies waved their handkerchiefs and 
gave other expressions of enthusiasm. The Prince was 
described as very youthful looking, dressed in light clothing 
and wearing a high crowned white hat which did not look 
*' very becoming." * * * '' His manner was easy and 
dignified. His face did not indicate a great amount of in- 
tellectuality nor the want of it. His features were good, 
with a little cast of German in them, and his person was 
graceful. He, however, looked much like other young men 
brought up in good society, and there was nothing about 
him to indicate that he was heir apparent to the English 
throne." Upon the departure of the special train which 
had been provided, there was great excitement. Every one 
was anxious to get a good view of him and the train was 
surrounded by a crowding multitude. The band played 
' ' God Save the Queen, ' ' and a few minutes past one o 'clock 
the royal party left for the east, the Prince standing on the 
platform of the rear car amid the cheering of the throng 
which bade him farewell and God speed. The effect of this 
event was regarded, generally, as very helpful to the city, as 
it inspired favorable comment both at home and abroad on 
the cordiality of her citizens and her importance as a com- 
mercial center. 

A visit, which will perhaps be remembered and cherished 
longer, was that of President-elect Lincoln, on the four- 
teenth and fifteenth of February, 1861. On this occasion the 
city began to fill with people from all parts of Western 
Pennsylvania early in the day. As evening came on the 
entire population was in the streets, waiting for the arrival 
of the Presidential party. The booming of guns, which was 
to announce the arrival of the train, began shortly after five 
o'clock, and the people crowded about the depot; but it was 

[ 215 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

not until eight o'clock that their patient waiting was re- 
warded. The procession started for the Monongahela 
House in a downpour of rain. The Pennsylvania Dragoons, 
the Jackson Independent Blues and the Washington In- 
fantry formed the military escort, under the command of 
General J. S. Negley, followed by the Coimnittee of Recep- 
tion, the members of the Councils of Pittsburgh and Alle- 
gheny, and thousands of enthusiastic citizens who were will- 
ing to brave rain and mud to do honor to " Honest Abe " 
Lincoln. The dense throng of people which surrounded the 
hotel and filled it, had to be pushed back with the bayonets 
of the militia that the President might enter. It was im- 
possible for him to get to the balcony at first, as the parlor 
leading to it was occupied with ladies and reporters. Mount- 
ing a chair in the hall he spoke briefly for a few moments, 
alluding to the inclement weather and the patience of the 
people in waiting good naturedly the arrival of the delayed 
train ; but the crowd in the streets continued to clamor for 
a speech from the balcony and would not disperse until he 
appeared. He did not deliver an address, however, but 
simply greeted the multitude and promised to speak at half- 
past eight the following morning on the " great interests of 
the State of Pennsylvania," when all might have an oppor- 
tunity of seeing and hearing him. The people then departed 
for their homes and gathered early the next day, in spite of 
the rain which was still falling. The President-elect spoke 
of the crisis in the affairs of the nation as artificial, such as 
might occur at any time as a result of the machinations of 
the turbulent element of the country and designing poli- 
ticians, and that he, as President, would do nothing detri- 
mental to the integrity of the Union or in violation of the 
spirit of the Constitution. The balance of his address 
related to the industries of Pennsylvania, and of Pittsburgh 
in particular. At the conclusion he was driven to the depot 
where there was another enthusiastic mass waiting to wit- 
ness his departure for Cleveland. The clouds had cleared 
away, and with the brightness came intense enthusiasm 
from all clases, both male and female, for it was to him the 
people looked to clear away the threatening disruption that 
menaced the peace and liberty of the nation. 

[ 216 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

On the afternoon of the seventeenth of September, 1862, 
the city was shocked by the terrific explosion at the United 
States Arsenal, which totally demolished the laboratory, 
killing instantly seventy-four j)ersons, boys, girls, men and 
women, and fatally injuring many others which swelled the 
death list to nearly eighty. The wrecked building imme- 
diately took fire, and the sight presented to the frantic crowd 
that gathered was heartrending. A number of the bodies 
when recovered were unrecognizable. About ten thousand 
tons of powder, besides hundreds of boxes of finished shells 
and cartridges, were in the laboratory at the time of the 
explosion, and the shock was distinctly felt throughout the 
two cities. An inquest was held and the verdict returned 
was *' that said explosion was caused by the neglect of 
Colonel John Symington, the officer in command at the 
Allegheny Arsenal, and his lieutenants, J. R. Eddie and 
Jaspar E. Myers ; and the gross neglect of Alexander Mc- 
Bride, superintendent of said laboratory, and his assistant, 
James Thorpe." The exact cause of the explosion was 
never definitely determined ; it has even been attributed to 
the stamping of a horse on the stone walk outside the door- 
way, thei»eby generating the fatal spark. The dead were 
buried in a lot donated by the Allegheny Cemetery Asso- 
ciation, and a subscription raised for the erection of a 
monument and relief of the injured and families of the 
victims. 

There was no time during the war that the Arsenal em- 
ployees were not closely watched for evidences of disloyalty, 
and, in June of 1863, nine were discharged for this alleged 
reason. The action caused a great deal of feeling and com- 
ment, both in and out of the public prints. Some of the 
newspapers were sued for libel and the matter was the sub- 
ject for discussion and resolutions in the city councils, the 
outcome of which was the appointment of a committee to 
investigate all the facts of the case and lay them before the 
Secretary of War for his action. However, nothing serious 
ever resulted, as several of the accused left the city. 

Pittsburgh followed the suit of other large cities of the 
country in 1865 by celebrating the fourth of March as a 
national holiday, a day of thanksgiving for the victories of 

[ 217 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

the Union armies and the prospect of a speedy termination 
of the war. The fourth of March was chosen, because on 
that day President Lincoln, whose sagacity and untiring 
energy had saved the Union, was to renew his oath of 
fidelity to the Constitution of the United States. On that 
day business was totally suspended between the hours of 
eleven-thirty and three o 'clock ; all the bells in the city were 
rung from eleven-thirty to twelve o'clock noon; all the 
churches were opened between twelve and one o'clock P. M., 
and patriotic addresses were delivered and prayers offered 
therein. In the evening a rousing meeting was held in 
Lafayette Hall where the mayor and several other speakers 
addressed the joyful assemblage. 

This celebration was the first of three which occurred in 
quick succession; the second one coming on the fourth of 
April, on receipt of the news of the fall of Richmond. A 
salute of one hundred guns was immediately fired from 
Metcalf's Hill; all business was entirely put aside and an 
impromptu jubilee was held in the evening. The last one 
occurred on Sunday night, the eleventh of April, upon the 
official announcement of the surrender of Lee. Bonfires 
were kindled, bells rung, big guns and rockets fired, while 
some gave expression to their joy in singing, prayer, and 
impassioned addresses, the most notable of which perhaps 
was the address delivered by General Howe, whose acts of 
patriotism from the outbreak of the war had been unceas- 
ing. The conflict was over and the universal cry was " Lib- 
erty and Union now and forever, one and inseparable. ' ' 

How different was the next public demonstration a few 
days later. At twelve-forty A. M., on the fifteenth of April, 
the dispatch came telling of the assassination of President 
Lincoln at Fords' Theatre. All business was immediately 
suspended and the city was, in the words of the Gazette, 
" draped in black, symbolical of the general gloom and the 
great woe that sits like an incubus on the hearts of loyal 
citizens. It is a genuine grief. There is that deep feeling 
within the popular heart which cannot express itself in 
words — a feeling of horror, striving in its intensit}^ with 
one of vengeance on the fiendish author of this terrible 
crime." There were meetings of nearly all societies, a 

[ 218 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

special meeting of the city councils, and a meeting of the 
members of the bench and bar. At all these meetings reso- 
lutions on the sad event were unanimously adopted. The 
resolutions of the bench and bar were ordered to be en- 
grossed and transmitted to the family of the deceased Presi- 
dent. Eeligious services were held at noon on the nine- 
teenth of April in all the churches, in accordance with the 
request of the acting Secretary of State. In some of the 
churches there were funeral services, in others, simply 
prayers and brief remarks. Three days afterward, on the 
twenty-second, business was again suspended by order of 
the Governor and mayor, during the passage of the funeral 
train through the State to Philadelphia. 

Soon after, when the cities of the entire country were 
clamoring for a sight of General Grant, an invitation to 
visit Pittsburgh was extended to him on the nineteenth of 
September, 1865, as a result of a public meeting of the 
citizens of Pittsburgh and Allegheny, called for the purpose. 
He arrived on the third of October, was enthusiastically 
and affectionately received and regarded as the '' idol of 
the nation." This was not to be his last visit, however; he 
came again on the thirteenth of September, 1866, in com- 
pany with the President of the United States, Andrew 
Johnson; Admiral Farragut, the great naval hero; and 
Secretaries Seward and Welles. There was a big outpour- 
ing of citizens, but it must be said, President Johnson's 
reception was not at all cordial; the people were not all 
pleased with Johnson's administration and refused to hear 
him speak. In marked contrast to this was the enthusiastic 
welcome accorded Grant and Farragut. General Grant 
visited the city a third time as President of the United 
States on the fourteenth of September, 1869, when he met 
with a most loving reception amounting to an ovation, 
spontaneous and hearty. 

During the Fenian demonstration in the summer of 1866, 
the Fenian party in Pittsburgh was very active in recruit- 
ing men for the Irish army to invade Canada. A gunboat 
was purchased here, equipped and moved down the river, 
and extensive purchases of arms and ammunition were 
made. The troops were uniformed in green, colors were 

[ 219 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

presented by the ladies of the city who were loyal to Ire- 
land's cause, and the warriors departed for Ogdensburg, 
New York, and the Canadian frontier. Also, a. great deal of 
money was raised here, as elsewhere, by the sale of Irish 
national bonds. All went merrily until President Johnson 
issued a proclamation warning all citizens from participat- 
ing in the '' unlawful proceedings " of the Fenians; then 
the boys in green came home, somewhat dejected but intact. 
This was the end of the American-Irish army. The leaders 
in the movement complained bitterly of President Johnson, 
the '' Head Centre," and Secretary Seward, whom they had 
counted on as sanctioning their plans, but no further efforts 
were made to free Ireland by force. 

The establishment of a clearing house in Pittsburgh had 
been suggested during the latter fifties, but tlie idea did not 
materialize into anything definite, and it was not until the 
close of the war that the matter was again taken up. The 
extensive business transactions and the ever increasing 
number of banks made it apparent that, in order to facilitate 
exchange safely, a clearing house was imperative. A meet- 
ing of bankers was called in May, 1865, and a committee ap- 
pointed to draw a constitution and by-laws. The committee 
reported at the next meeting, June fifth; the constitution 
and by-laws were adopted and subscribed to by the eighteen 
banks represented. The rooms of the Association were 
located over the Bank of Pittsburgh, but there is no acces- 
sible record of the business done up to February fifth, 1866. 
Mr. John Harper of the Bank of Pittsburgh was the first 
President, and R. M. Cust, the first manager of the Asso- 
ciation. Its benefits from the beginning have been a factor 
in the upbuilding of the city's interests. 

The city also began to assume, in its outward aspect, the 
appearance of a metropolitan center. Two new bridges 
were completed in this decade; the Roebling suspension 
bridge in 1860 replacing the old Allegheny Bridge, and the 
Pittsburgh and Birmingham Bridge in 1861. Street letter 
boxes were put up in various parts of the city in August, 
1865 ; in 1866, the new Pennsylvania depot wa« opened, and 
the following year the Monongahela Incline Plane Com- 
pany was chartered. The construction of this unique rail- 

[ 220 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

way to the hilltops was soon followed by several more m 
other parts of the city, thus utilizing for resident pur- 
poses nearby districts which had hitherto been in- 
accessible. 

The demand for residences, away from the smoke and 
dirt, had built up the suburbs of the city in such handsome 
proportions that another effort for consolidation was made 
in 1867. It was successful, however, only so far as con- 
cerned Lawrenceville, Peebles, Collins, Liberty, Pitt and 
Oakland, the districts which lay between the two rivers. 
The annexed districts were divided into fourteen wards, 
numbering from ten to twenty-three inclusive. The heavy 
taxation of the city then, as in previous and subsequent 
attempts, acted against consolidation in the other suburbs, 
and the opposition carried. The increased size of the city 
necessitated the changing the names of streets bearing the 
same names, the opening and paving of streets, sewer con- 
nections, etc. ; all of which called for an annual expenditure 
for several years of almost double the amount for each 
preceding year. 

Forbes Street was laid out in the fall of 1868, making an 
additional avenue to the eastern suburbs. A new City Hall, 
the present one, was begun August eighth, 1868 (completed 
in 1872 at a cost of $408,790.00), and the city councils made 
arrangements to contract a loan of $1,000,000.00 to secure 
an adequate supply of pure water. An addition to the Court 
House and County Jail was also necessaiy in 1869 to accom- 
modate the increased business of the court and county 
offices. 

On the thirty-first of August, 1869, the voters of the city 
again decided, by about 4,500 majority, against a public 
park. The heavy tax levy and the widespread belief that the 
proposition was more or less political doubtless defeated it. 

The population of the city in 1870 was 86,076, an increase 
over 1860 of 36,859. 

According to the subjoined enumeration, which was pub- 
lished in 1870, the principal manufactories of the Pitts- 
burgh District, with a population approximating 215,000, 
at that time were ; 

[ 221 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Iron Mills 32 Machine Shops 27 

Steel Mills 9 Cotton Factories 5 

Copper Mills 2 White Lead Factories 8 

Brass Foundries 11 Potteries 9 

Glass Mould Factories 2 Tanneries 26 

Cork Factory 1 Chair and Cabinet Factories. . 19 

Breweries 52 Flouring Mills 5 

Malleable Iron Foundries .... 4 Saw Mills 11 

Chandlers 9 Wagon and Car Factories ... 12 

Plow Factories 4 Planing Mills 17 

Woolen Mills 3 Locomotive Works 2 

Refineries 51 Glass Factories 68 

Tobacco Factories 10 Distilleries 8 

Saw Factories 2 Shovel and Axe Factories .... 2 

Foundries 48 Safe Factories 2 

Brickyards 13 Gas Meter Factory 1 

Spring Factories 7 Tinning Shops 4 

Spice Mills 2 Coffin Factory 1 

File Factory 1 Glass Staining Works 3 

The aggregate capital invested in the seven leading in- 
dustries of the district, including capital invested in mining 
and transporting coal and coke, and the annual value of 
products was: 

Amount of Value of 

MANUFACTURES. Capital Invested. Products. 

Iron $50,000,000.00 $29,000,000.00 

Petroleum 9,200,000.00 8,000,000.00 

Glass 9,000,000.00 7,000,000.00 

Steel 5,000,000.00 5,460,000.00 

Ale and Beer 2,000,000.00 4,800,000.00 

White Lead 1,375,000.00 2,000,000.00 

Coal and Coke 22,369,000.00 12,000,000.00 

Total $98,944,000.00 $68,260,000.00 



Diversified industries, exclusive of boat building, listed 
in Tax Assessors' books: 

Amount of Value of 

MANUFACTURES. Capital Investi-d Products. 

Tanneries $1,962,000.00 $2,300,000.00 

Tobacco Factories 650,000 . 00 2,000,000 . 00 

Cotton and Woolen Factories 1,550,000.00 1,688,000.00 

Chair and Cabinet Factories 560,000.00 580,000.00 

Brass Foundries 390,000.00 492,000.00 

Planing Mills 580,000.00 735,000.00 

Glass Staining Factories 90,000.00 156,000.00 

Potteries 186,000.00 142,000.00 

Brick Yards 180,000.00 336,000.00 

Tinning Shops 163,000.00 362,000.00 

[ 222 1 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

Amount of Value of 

MANUFACTURES. Capital Invested. Products. 

Carriage Factories $294,000.00 $278,000.00 

Distilleries 302,000.00 2,984,000.00 

Wagon Factories 160,000.00 286,000.00 

Brush Factories 33,000.00 62,000.00 

Marble Yards 148,000.00 326,000.00 

Bellows Factories 40,000.00 70,000.00 

Total $7,288,000.00 $12,797,000.00 



Amount of Value of 

MANUFACTURE. Capital Invested. Products. 

Boat building (estimated) $500,000 . 00 $1,000,000 . 00 

Miscellaneous Manufactories on which 
no definite returns were received 

(estimated) 2,750,000.00 7,000,000.00 



Summary. 
Grand Total — amount of Capital invested $106,732,000.00 



Grand Total — amount of Products. $82,057,000 . 00 



1870-1880. The flourisliing condition of the years im- 
mediately succeeding the war began to wane in the latter 
part of 1869, and during 1870-71 there was not much of 
promise. The most striking feature of these years was the 
establishment of upwards of twenty banks, National and 
Savings, and Trust Companies in the two cities. But in 
spite of this the financial condition was anything but 
promising; there had been too much inflation, but the ex- 
cited ones refused to see the impending panic and pointed 
out that conditions were similar to those during the scare 
of 1864, and that the country was too prosperous to suffer 
seriously. The newspapers also refused to see danger, 
even after the failure of Jay Cooke and Company in New 
York, which precipitated the panic, and assured the public 
that Pittsburgh concerns were ^' as sound as before the 
crisis and worthy of unabated credit;" but the subsequent 
failures in rapid succession, beginning within two days and 
continuing for months, told a different story. Bank after 
bank and business firm after business firm went down in 

[ 223 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

the avalanche of punctured inflation that paralyzed thei 
country. The magic of the speculators and the financiers, 
had again failed to create real prosperity where the actual 
evolution of the inexorable laws of nature and of supply 
and demand had failed. But to the credit of Pittsburgh's 
banking institutions, be it said, they stood by the business 
men to the limit of their ability, thus enabling many to 
withstand the shock who would otherwise have fallen. The 
crisis developed the fact that the violations of law among 
officials, and of banking and financial institutions, which 
were so common over the country, had also prevailed here. 
Some of the banks had loaned beyond their authorized 
limit in financing pet projects of favorites. There were 
also one or two instances of defalcation by officials which 
added to the chaotic condition. The distress continued 
throughout the following year; recovery was slow, capital 
was timid, and there was a widespread distrust of banking 
institutions among the industrial and middle classes, who 
felt more secure in hoarding their money. As a partial 
analysis of the panic and its causes after conditions were 
somewhat readjusted, the following from the Commercial 
of July thirtieth, 1875, is quoted, and apropos of recent 
panics the same is peculiarly applicable: ''In no single 
instance of the failure of a banking enterprise has the cause 
been within the sphere of legitimate speculations. Since 
the year 1860, from actual personal knowledge, we can 
trace the reason of each and every bank failure to causes 
completely outside and foreign to the field of legitimate 
financial enterprise. Even during the panic of 1873 the 
suspensions which occurred have proved this position. In- 
stance the Savings and Deposit Bank of East Liberty, 
which, upon winding up its affairs, shows not only unim- 
paired capital, but actually a surplus of earnings of nearly 
or quite 30 per cent, after the payment of all depositors. ' * 

In the midst of an abundance of mineral wealth, where 
the constant work of hand and brain consisted in trans- 
forming the raw products of nature into finished forms, it 
seems strange that natural gas, one of the most powerful 
levers in effecting the various transformations, was not 
earlier applied. The fact that natural gas existed in 

[ 224 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

various parts of Allegheny and surrounding counties had 
been known for years. It almost invariably appeared 
wherever an oil well was bored, and that it was inflammable 
was also known; yet its value and employment as a heat 
and power producing agent, as a possible factor in the 
industry of Pittsburgh, was apparently never thought of 
up to the year 1875, when the Natural Gas Company 
Limited was organized by Graff, Bennett and Co., Spang, 
Chalfant and Co., J. J. Vandergrift, John Pitcairn, Jr., 
Henry Harley, W. K. Vandergrift, and Charles W. Batch- 
elor. As in nearly all pioneer movements in the applica- 
tion of new forces, the project was looked upon as im- 
practicable, though the fact was well known that natural 
gas had been used for both fuel and light in the oil country 
for many years. But in this instance, as in many others 
prominent in the history of Pittsburgh, the level headed 
and progressive men won. To-day, natural gas, in addition 
to being piped from Butler county wells, less than twenty 
miles away, is conveyed a distance of a hundred miles and 
more. The industry was controlled by several companies, 
the largest of which was the Philadelphia Company, up to 
the recent consolidation. Millions of dollars are invested 
in the control of territory, pipe lines, tanks, equipment, etc. 

One of the most striking demonstrations of the barbarism 
which lies beneath the veneer of civilization was brought 
forth by the great railroad riots of 1877. The wanton de- 
struction of property and life in the various centers of 
the trouble, by the lawless, who had no grievance against 
the railroad companies, startled the world, and there were 
many who thought the oft predicted war between Labor 
and Capital had come. 

The reign of terror began in Baltimore on the morning 
of the sixteenth of July, when forty men of the Baltimore 
and Ohio Railroad left their trains to join the striking fire- 
men and brakemen who had gone out the previous week, 
refusing to submit to a 10 per cent, reduction in their 
wages. The places of the forty men were quickly filled by 
experienced men who had been unemployed for some time ; 
but all trains were forcibly stopped at Camden Junction, 
three miles west of the city, and were not allowed to run 
15 [ 225 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

either way. Prom Baltimore the trouble spread to Mar- 
tinsburg, West Virginia, and assumed such proportions 
and seriousness that it could not be overcome by the State 
authorities, and Governor Matthews called on the national 
government for aid. A proclamation was issued by Presi- 
dent Hayes, ordering the rioters to disperse, and a force 
of two hundred and fifty regulars, armed with rifles and a 
gatling-gun, was ordered to Martinsburg. They arrived 
on the nineteenth and the blockade was partially raised; 
but the trouble quickly spread to other roads and places. 
An idea of its magnitude may be gained from the fact that 
all the great lines of the country were affected; the Balti- 
more and Ohio, including the main and leased lines, the 
Pennsylvania Central and its branches, the New York Cen- 
tral & Hudson River Railroad, the Lake Shore & Michigan 
Central, and the Erie Railroad, all employing a total of 
84,000 men. 

The strike began in Pittsburgh on the morning of the 
nineteenth, Thursday, when the freight crews left their 
trains because the company had made a 10 per cent, cut in 
their wages, had doubled the number of cars for each train, 
and also, the length of trip, without increasing the crews. 
All freight trains were stopped in the freight yards, and 
the ranks of the strikers were constantly augmented by the 
lawless element from the mills, the malicious unemployed, 
and the idle toughs who flocked to the scene at and around 
the Twenty-eighth street roundhouse and took possession 
of the company's property. The strikers were lost in the 
mob that had gathered, thirsting to satiate their hatred of 
the railroad company which had been fostered and nurtured 
for years, partly through the efforts of the newspapers, on 
account of the alleged discrimination and favoritism prac- 
ticed by the company. 

The community had been impressed that the ^' Railroad 
Vultures " were " constantly preying upon the wealth and 
resources of the country; " * * * they were " a class, 
as it were, of money jugglers intent only on practicing their 
trickery for self-aggrandizement, and that consequently 
their greed leads them into all known ways and byways of 
fraud, scheming and speculating to accomplish the amassing 

[ 226 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

of princely fortunes." This and like utterances had pre- 
pared an atmosphere that was conducive to the enactment 
of the deeds of violence of that day and succeeding ones. 

The railroad officials called upon the Mayor to disperse 
the mob and protect their property, but the city authorities, 
when they arrived, were defied. In an attempt to arrest a 
man who had assaulted a railroad official, when he was 
turning a switch, the police were stoned by the mob, but 
they landed their man in the station house while the mob 
gathered without and threatened to release their comrade 
by force. This, however, they did not carry out. 

At a meeting of the strikers in the evening, they demanded 
that the company continue the former wage and revoke the 
order for *' double headers." It is just at this point, 
according to good authority, that a little wise counsel, 
coupled with a firm hand to enforce it, with equal justice 
to both parties, would have averted the disasters of the 
succeeding days. But the seed of hatred that had been 
sown bore the fruit of lawlessness and destruction. The 
railroad company, alarmed at the increasing proportions 
of the mob, called on the sheriif, who responded, ordering 
the mob to disperse, wliich they refused to do, whereupon 
the sheriff called upon General Pearson for assistance. 
The 18th and 19th Regiments, National Guard of Pennsyl- 
vania, were ordered out the next day upon authority of 
Adjutant-General Latta. They were stationed around the 
Union depot and at various points in the yard and along 
the hillside. 

In addition to ordering out the militia of Pittsburgh, the 
Governor, for some reason, ordered General Brinton's 
troops from Philadelphia to the scene in Pittsburgh. The 
effect of this stirred the rioters to still deeper anger, and 
the feeling even spread to the newspapers, one of which in 
its issue of the twentieth published the following: '* The 
workingmen everywhere are in fullest sympathy with the 
strikers, and only waiting to see whether they are in earnest 
enough to fight for their rights. They would all join and 
help them the moment an actual conflict took place, * * * 
the laboring people who mostly constitute the militia, won 't 
take up arms to put down their brethren. Will capital 

[ 227 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

then rely on the United States Army? Pshaw! * * * 
The workingmen of this country can capture and hold it, 
if they will only stick together, and it looks as though they 
were going to do so this time * * * the working army 
would have the most and the best men. The war might be 
bloody, but the right would prevail. * * * Men Hke (here 
prominent Pennsylvania Railroad officials were named), 
who have got rich swindling the stockholders of railroads, 
so that they cannot pay honest labor living rates, we would 
hang to the nearest tree." 

By the next morning there were about two thousand cars 
tied up in the freight yard down town, and thousands of 
perishing animals in cars at the East Liberty Stock Yards. 
The Philadelphia troops arrived on Saturday afternoon, 
the twenty-first, and proceeded to the scene at Twenty- 
eighth street. " Possession of the crossing and round 
house was disputed by the mob, and a consultation was held 
by the officers in command with Superintendent Pitcairn 
and Sheriff Fife, after which the latter read the riot act, 
having in his pocket warrants for the arrest of fifteen of 
the ring leaders. He proceeded to make an arrest. The 
man approached waving his hat, and calling to the crowd 
and the strikers, said: ' Give them Hell.' Immediately a 
shower of stones was hurled into the troops, and one re- 
volver shot fired into the ranks. General Brinton then 
ordered his men to fire. It was claimed that General Pear- 
son, Commander of the Sixth Division of the Pennsylvania 
State Guard, had directed the troops to fire before any 
resistance had been made. About twenty persons, among 
them three children, were killed and as many more wounded, 
some of whom were of those who had gathered on the hill- 
side above the tracks merely as spectators. While Bishop 
Tuigg was endeavoring to pacify the rioters they demanded 
the whereabouts of General Pearson, and failing to learn 
where he was a party attacked his dwelling and completely 
sacked it, leaving nothing whole from garret to cellar. His 
family, however, were not injured. ' ' 

'' At half -past five o'clock the crossing was in possession 
of the military, and shortly after they were marched in the 
Round House where it was thought they would obtain 

[ 228 ] 



'ev/ 




*■;%■''/ *''^i" 













THE MUNICIPALITY 

greater protection from the overwhelming numbers of the 
crowd. About ten o 'clock in the evening a mob, numbering 
several thousand men, had congregated about the Round 
House. They had previously captured the guns belonging 
to Hutchinson's Battery, a local organization, and they 
planted them so as to cover the Round House. Several 
solid shots were fired at the building, and a breach made 
in the walls. When the infuriated mob attempted to rush 
into the building, however, the military were ordered to 
fire, and sent a volley of musketry at the crowd. Find- 
ing it difficult to dislodge the military from the building, 
they resolved to burn them out. While a portion of the 
mob surrounded the building in which the military had 
taken refuge, large bodies proceeded to set fire to the oil 
cars, and in a moment huge volumes of black smoke rolled 
upwards, followed by lurid flames reaching out in every 
direction, telling that the work of the destruction of prop- 
erty had begun. 

'^ Train after train was fired by the infuriated crowd, 
but the cars were so far distant from the Round House 
that the heat did not seriously affect the military. Finally 
a large party of strikers captured a car filled with coke, 
which they ran from the Allegheny Valley Railway track 
to a siding connecting with the Pennsylvania Railroad. 
They then procured large quantities of petroleum, and 
pouring it over the coke, ignited the pile. In a very few 
minutes the car was a mass of fire, and it was then pushed 
along the tracks and forced against the Round House. 

'' The building was soon ignited, and the soldiers were 
now compelled to prepare to fight their way out through the 
frenzied mass of humanity clamoring for their blood. The 
building did not burn as rapidly as desired, and the mob, 
bent on revenge, rushed up the road and sent burning trains 
down towards the doomed buildings. From midnight until 
five o'clock on Thursday morning the main efforts of the 
crowd were directed to firing the buildings and cars, but 
about half an hour later the mob which had been besieging 
the military left the grounds for some unexplained reason. 
This afforded the troops, who were in actual danger of 
being roasted alive, an opportunity to emerge from the 

[ 229 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

building, and they succeeded in reaching Liberty Street in 
a very few moments. They quickly formed a line and 
marched up to Thirty-third Street and thence to Penn 
Avenue and Butler Street. The objective point was the 
United States Arsenal, where they expected to obtain 
shelter. While turning into Butler Street, however, the 
leaders of the mob, who had been informed of their retreat, 
brought fully one thousand rioters, armed and supplied 
with ammunition, after them in hot pursuit. Some of the 
troops fired at the rioters as they moved along the street, 
which only stirred the mob to greater fury. 

^' When the troops reached the Arsenal the commandant 
refused to admit them. He said he had only ten men, and 
would be powerless to hold the place if the mob should 
attack it. He consented to take care of the wounded, and 
they were accordingly carried into the hospital. The main 
body of the troops continued their march along Butler 
Street, a constant fusillade upon them being kept up by the 
mob as they moved forward. The column continued its 
flight and crossed over to the north side of the Allegheny 
river on the Sharpsburg Bridge, the mob following as 
rapidly as possible. After reaching the north side the 
troops scattered, and in this way the mob was divided into 
very small bodies. 

'* While the Round House at Pittsburgh, with the Phila- 
delphia troops imprisoned within, was burning, the mob, 
augmented by many women and children, inaugurated a 
very carnival of destruction. Many of the stores near the 
depot contained quantities of liquor. Before they were 
fired the mob rolled out barrel after barrel, knocked in the 
heads and distributed whisky and brandy to their excited 
associates. The extreme drunkenness of the crowd proba- 
bly ended the troubles during the night, for at an early 
hour in the morning the troops saw thousands of the rough 
element sleeping off the effects of their frequent and heavy 
potations. 

"After the mob gained the mastery in Pittsburgh, they 
broke into Johnson 's gun-factory on Smithfield Street, and, 
helping themselves to guns and revolvers, visited Brown's 
establishment on Wood Street, completely gutted it, and 

[ 230 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

then marched down Fifth Avenue with drums beating and 
flags flying in a body three thousand strong to join their 
associates in the work of arson and pillage. The round- 
house beyond the Union Depot was burned, and over a hun- 
dred locomotives destroyed. All the machine shops and rail- 
road offices in the vicinity were also fired. The rioters 
planted a cannon in the streets near by, and threatened to 
blow in pieces any man who attempted to extinguish the 
flames. The firemen, thus intimidated, retired, and de- 
voted themselves to saving private property only. From 
the time the torch was applied to the first car, at eleven 
'clock Saturday night, all night long, and the greater part 
of Sunday morning, car after car was taken possession of 
by the incendiaries, the torch applied, and the burning, 
fiery mass sent whirling down the track among the 2,500 
cars filled with valuable cargoes of freight of all descrip- 
tions, and costly passenger cars and sleeping and day 
coaches, spreading destruction on every hand. 

^' The scenes transpiring on Liberty Street, along the 
line of which the tracks of the railroad run on an elevation 
fifteen or twenty feet above the street, simply beggar de- 
scription. While hundreds were engaged in firing the cars 
and making certain of the destruction of the valuable 
buildings at the outer depot, thousands of men, women and 
children engaged in pillaging the cars. Men armed with 
heavy sledges, keeping ahead of the fire which was running 
west toward the Union Depot, broke open the cars, and 
threw the contents to the crowd below. The street was 
almost completed blockaded by persons laboring to carry off 
the plunder they had gathered together. In hundreds of 
instances wagons were pressed into service to enable 
thieves to get away with their goods. Some of the scenes, 
notwithstanding the terror which seemed to paralyze 
peaceable and orderly citizens, were ludricrous in the 
highest degree. Here a brawny woman could be seen 
hurrying away with pairs of white kid slippers under her 
arms ; another, carrying an infant, would be rolling a barrel 
of flour along the sidewalk, using her feet as the propelling 
power; here a man pushing a wheelbarrow loaded with 
white lead. Boys hurried through the crowd with large- 

[ 231 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBURGH 

sized family Bibles as their share of the plunder, while 
scores of females utilized aprons and dresses to carry 
flour, eggs, dry-goods, etc. Bundles of umbrellas, fancy 
parasols, hams, bacon, leaf lard, calico, blankets, laces, and 
flour were mixed together in the arms of robust men, or 
carried on hastily constructed hand-barrows. In one place 
where barrels of flour had been rolled from the cars and 
over the wall to the street below, breaking with the fall, 
heaps of flour were piled up several feet in depth. In these 
the women were rolling and fighting in their eagerness to 
get all they could. In their greed they were not satisfied 
with aprons full, but, holding out the skirts of their dresses, 
they ploughed into the heaps till they had all they could 
carry, then staggered off, covered from head to feet with 
flour. Many of the plunderers pelted each other and every 
one else they could reach with stolen goods. One of our 
artists, Mr. Alexander, while sketching the scene from the 
roof of a low building near by, was repeatedly struck with 
lemons, oranges and other articles of plunder aimed at 
his head. 

' * But to return to the fire. By three o 'clock on Sunday 
afternoon the flames had nearly reached the Union Depot. 
But the mob was impatient. The burning cars driven 
under the adjacent sheds had ignited them, but the work 
was slow. The rioters thereupon rushed into the depot- 
master's office, a two-story frame building at the extreme 
end of the shed on the north side of the platform, and 
bursting open the desks and closets, scattered the books 
and papers over the floor, and throwing oil upon them 
applied the match, and soon the whole structure was in 
flames, 

' ' * The Union Depot is on fire ! ' was an announcement 
that spread like a flash of lighting throughout the city, and 
thousands of people at once crowded all the avenues lead- 
ing to the scene. The people seemed entirely reckless of 
the danger in their wild anxiety to see the sight. The 
hillside above the depot was covered with people thick as 
leaves upon forest trees. Every available point of view 
was taken up. Hundreds climbed to the high tower in the 
City Hall, and from that altitude had a magnificent view of 

[ 232 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

the scene. As the smoke rolled up toward the sky it 
attracted the attention of the people in Allegheny, and the 
sides of Observatory Hill were lined with sight-seers, the 
most of them children, who from that far-away point took 
in the wild grandeur of the scene almost as well as those 
who were nearer at hand. The crowds on Liberty Street 
were dense as far as Smithfield Street, while scattered 
groups along the street toward the river viewed the fiend 
of flame as it licked up the magnificent structure. Efforts 
were made to save the grain elevator near by, but the 
crowd, thinking it belonged to the railroad company, re- 
fused to allow the firemen to come near, and it too was 
destroyed. The Panhandle Depot on Grant Street, and 
the locomotive shop on Quarry Street, met the same fate. 
When this last building was fired, the whole territory be- 
tween Seventh Avenue and Millvale Station, a distance of 
three miles, was a wall of fire, and before sunset not a 
railroad building nor a car of the Pennsylvania and Pan- 
handle railroads was left unburned in Pittsburgh * * *. 

*'At 12:30 Sunday morning a committee appointed by a 
citizen's meeting tried to open a consultation with the mob, 
but were promptly driven away. The committee saw that 
those they had to do with were not dissatisfied railroad 
employees, but only a mob of the vilest of the city's popula- 
tion, at whose mercy was the entire property of the city, 
a mass of men drunken with unrestrained passions and 
continuous indulgence in the whisky and wines obtained 
from the plundered cars. It was a mob in its most com- 
plete form, there being neither organization nor leader, but 
each man or party of men doing what the frenzy or chance 
for plunder for the moment suggested. Some of the 
original strikers having been found, they promised to 
attend a meeting of the citizens at four o 'clock and arrange 
to aid in suppressing the incendiarism, and they were as 
good as their word, showing, as before stated, that the 
railroad strikers were not of the mob and did not counte- 
nance the violence. 

'*At this meeting the Mayor was authorized to enroll 
five hundred police, but the accounts of the day say that 
the ranks filled up slowly. In the earlier hours of the mob 

[ 233 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

when the Mayor was first appealed to, although prompt in 
his endeavor to check the turbulence, his efforts were re- 
tarded by the want of support he should have had from 
the police, which, not understanding the personal char- 
acteristics of the mob, and permeated by a sympathy with 
the strikers, were backward in supporting the city author- 
ities. * * * The state of terror continued through all of 
Sunday night, and on Monday morning the mob still reigned 
supreme. 

" On Monday morning, at eleven o'clock, a meeting of 
citizens was called to convene at the Chamber of Commerce 
to form a Committee of Public Safety to take charge of the 
situation, as the city authorities, the Sheriff and the 
military seemed powerless. At this meeting the following 
Committee of Public Safety was appointed: William G. 
Johnston, chairman; John Moorhead, Paul Hacke, Ralph 
Bagaley, George Wilson, J. J. Gillespie, G. Schleiter, J. G. 
Weldon, George H, Thurston, James J. Donnell, James B. 
Haines, George A. Kelly, F. H. Eaton, J. E. Schwartz, 
Joseph Home, William T. Dunn, R. G. Jones, Dr. Mc- 
intosh, Frank Bisel, John R. McCune, John M. Davis, John 
B. Jackson, R. C. Grey, Alexander Bradley, Captain Samuel 
Harper. 

" On motion, George H. Thurston, George A. Kelly, John 
M. Davis were appointed a committee to prepare an ad- 
dress to the public, and in a short time presented the follow- 
ing, which was adopted and ordered to be at once published : 

" ' The Committee of Public Safety, appointed at the 
meeting of citizens held at the Chamber of Commerce, July 
twenty-third, deeming that the allaying of excitement -is the 
first step towards restoring order, would urge upon all 
citizens disposed to aid therein the necessity of pursuing 
their usual avocation, and keeping all their employees at 
work, and would, therefore, request that full compliance be 
accorded to this demand of the committee. The committee 
are impressed with the belief that the police force now 
being organized will be able to arrest and disperse all riot- 
ous assemblages, and that much of the danger of destruc- 
tion to property has passed, and that an entire restoration 
of order will be established. The committee believe that 

[ 234 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

the mass of industrious workmen of the city are on the side 
of law and order, and a number of the so-called strikers are 
already in the ranks of the defenders of the city, and it is 
quite probable that any further demonstration will proceed 
from thieves and similar classes of population, with whom 
our working classes have no affiliation and will not be found 
among them. 

" ' It is to this end that the committee request that all 
classes of business should be prosecuted as usual, and our 
citizens refrain from congregating in the streets in crowds, 
so that the police of the city may not be confused in their 
efforts to arrest rioters, and the military be not restrained 
from prompt action, if necessary, from fear of injuring the 
innocent. ' 

''At this meeting Major T. Brent Swearingen was di- 
rected to take charge of organizing the citizens who might 
desire to form organizations for the protection of the city. 
A Vigilance Committee was also authorized to be formed 
under charge of General Negley and Major Swearingen, 
and establish headquarters at Lafayette Hall. 

'' In other sections of the country the railroad troubles 
were increasing and the committee thought best to call 
Major General Joe Brown and Colonel Guthrie of the 
Eighteenth National Guards, into consultation. Under their 
advice a camp was formed of the military at East Liberty, 
to be held in readiness for any further outbreak. Mayor 
McCarthy enrolled five hundred extra police and issued a 
proclamation in which he said, ' I have determined that 
peace, order and quiet shall be restored to the community, 
and to this end call upon all good citizens to come forward 
at once to the old City Hall and unite with the police and 
military now organizing. I call upon all to continue quietly 
at their several places of business and refrain from par- 
ticipating in excited assemblages,' 

"A proclamation had also been previously issued by Gov- 
ernor Hartranft, and he had come to Pittsburgh to address 
the rioters, and subsequently some two or three thousand 
troops were ordered by him to Pittsburgh, and were en- 
camped near East Liberty for several days. Under these 
vigorous measures quiet was in a few days restored, and the 

[ 235 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBURGH 

railroad riots of Pittsburgh were a thing of the past, al- 
though the Committee of Public Safety continued to hold 
sessions and to take steps not only to prevent any further 
demonstrations, but to arrest and bring to punishment a 
number of the prominent rioters. The mistake of allowing 
a collection of thieves and similar vagabonds to assimilate 
themselves with a mere handful of strikers and thus become 
the mob it did was the first error in the efforts to control 
the mob. The next was calling out the military before the 
civil authorities had exhausted their power, and the greatest 
of all was the bringing of the troops from the east. 

" Every step taken until the Committee of Public Safety 
took charge of affairs only tended to enrage the working 
classes, instead of quieting them to a point of reason. It 
gave demagogues and bad men the opportunity to play 
upon the passions of the masses, and what was a mere, in 
one sense, harmless strike of a few dissatisfied railroad 
employees, who intended no violence, became the terrible 
riot for which claims were made on Allegheny county for 
damages to the amount of $4,100,000.00, which the Commis- 
sioners settled for $2,772,349.53. Of this sum $1,600,000.00 
went to the Pennsylvania Railroad, whose claim for $2,313,- 
000.00 was settled for that sum. The public learned the 
danger of sympathizing with mobs to gratify feelings of 
private hostility; the county and city a lesson it will not 
care to have repeated. 

^ ' ' In addition to the buildings already specified as burned, 
there were 1,383 freight cars, 104 locomotives and 66 pas- 
senger coaches destroyed. Twenty-five persons in all were 
killed." 

Many improvements incident to the growth of the city 
were inaugurated from year to year. In 1870 the paid Fire 
Department was installed by Act of Legislature, and the 
new water works, the basis of the present system, were 
begun, although they were not put into operation until nine 
years after their commencement. The first contract for the 
foundation of the pumping station was let during this year ; 
but the contractor failed to complete the work, owing to 
flooding, and it was re-let. Contracts for four engines to 
cost $850,000.00 a pair were let in 1872 ; they were placed in 

[ 236 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

position in July, 1878, before the station was completed, the 
contract for which was let the same year. The building oi 
the works was at that time under the supervision of engi- 
neer James Lowrie. The inauguration of the new system 
was scheduled for July twenty-seventh, but an accident to 
one of the engines postponed it until May of the following 
year. This pumping station, known as the Brilliant station, 
was located on the Allegheny just below Highland Park on 
property formerly owned by Benjamin W. Morgan, and is 
still in use, although it was entirely remodeled in 1894. The 
water supply was taken from the Allegheny river, as it is 
to-day, and raised 367 feet to the Highland reservoir which 
is thirteen acres in extent and has a capacity of 138,000,000 
gallons. At present there are four reservoirs, the Highland 
Nos. I. and II., the Herron Hill and Bedford, beside three 
tanks, the two Garfield tanks and the Lincoln tank, having 
a total capacity of 252,675,000 gallons. There are four 
pumping stations, the Brilliant, with ten pumping engines, 
with a capacity of 52,000,000 gallons ; the Herron Hill, with 
three engines, capacity 16,000,000; the Garfield, with two 
engines, capacity 3,000,000 and the Lincoln, with one engine 
and one duplex non-condensing steam pump, capacity 
1,500,000 gallons; miles of pipe line in service, 379.63; fire 
hydrants, 3,550. In addition, a filtration plant is being con- 
structed at a cost of $6,500,000.00, to filter the entire water 
supply, including that for the South Side and the Thirty- 
seventh and Forty-first wards which are now supplied by 
private companies. The system to be used is the slow-sand 
system, the average daily capacity of which will be 
100,000,000 gallons. The total investment in the city's 
water system reaches the enormous total of $10,326,000.00 ; 
somewhat in contrast to the cost of the first water supply 
of Pittsburgh ordered by the Borough Council in August, 
1802, at a cost of $497.96. It consisted of four wells and 
pumps, and even the small amount necessary to install them 
was difficult to raise, according to the record, only $170.00 
having been collected by the end of the year. 

In 1876 another bridge, the famous Point Bridge, was 
opened to accommodate the increasing population of the 
South Side. On the seventh of May, 1882 the court house 

[ 237 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBURGH 

was burned and the beautiful structure, the masterpiece of 
the architect Richardson, was beg-un in 1884 by Norcross 
Brothers. The contract was signed September tenth for the 
construction of the building, which was to cost the county 
$2,243,024.00. Work was begun and the building was turned 
over to the county commissioners, complete, in April, 1888. 
The jail was finished in May, 1886, but was not used until 
September. The total excess for alterations, over the con- 
tract price for these buildings, was but $14,000.00. The con- 
tract for the furnishing and equipment of the building was 
also awarded to Norcross Brothers for $103,760.00. The 
material used in the construction was Worcester granite. 
After the burning of the second court house, the old Western 
University building was purchased for $80,000.00. It was 
fitted up at an expense of $22,000.00. In addition, a tem- 
porary brick building was erected on George's alley and 
Old avenue at a cost of $43,000.00. These served the pur- 
poses of the county until the completion of the present 
building. 

The year 1888, being the one hundredth anniversary of 
the erection of Allegheny county, it was decided to hold a 
Centennial to commemorate the event and to show the 
progress that had been made in manufacturing, transporta- 
tion, and commerce. A Centennial committee of one 
hundred persons was formed and a programme was drawn 
up which included the dedication of the Court House 
September twenty-fourth; a civic display and grand parade 
on the twenty-fifth, and a military display on the twenty- 
sixth. The parade on the twenty-fifth was a great success, 
requiring three hours for the numerous bodies to pass. It 
was made up of the various artisans and skilled mechanics, 
displays of domestic materials and handiwork, horses and 
mules, ladened with packs of merchandise, to illustrate the 
earliest days of transportation, Conestoga wagons of the 
period of 1820 and a model of a canal boat of 1829, to show 
the contrast with present day modes of transportation. The 
military display on the following day was also a success. 
Thus Allegheny county began her second one hundred years. 

At the beginning of this decade the population of the city 
was 156,389 ; in 1890 it had increased to 238,617. 

[ 238 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

Many other noteworthy buildings, including libraries, 
schools, churches, a new Government building, railroad sta- 
tions, hotels, office buildings and business blocks, have been 
constructed in the past twenty-five years. The largest of 
these is the extended Carnegielnstitute building in Schenley 
Park. It covers a ground space of five acres and its dimen- 
sions are four hundred by five hundred feet. Within the 
building are a library, museum and art gallery, and a music 
hall. The exterior is built of Ohio sandstone, and there is 
much beautiful white and green Greek marble used for in- 
terior walls, stairs and columns, together with many varie- 
ties of French and Italian marbles. The Hall of Sculpture 
is of special interest for the beauty of the white pentelic 
marble used in its construction. This marble came from the 
same quarry that produced the marble for the Parthenon 
and other Greek Temples. Other buildings worthy of men- 
tion are the Government building, built of polished granite, 
completed in 1892 at a cost of $1,500,000.00; the Union and 
Wabash stations, the latter of which is one of the most im- 
posing structures of the city. It is triangular in shape and 
with the train shed covers 150,000 square feet. The first two 
stories are constructed of gray stone embellished with 
mouldings, carvings and columns. The remaining stories 
are of Pompeiian brick. The ornamentation represents 
some of the finest carving in stone to be found in Pittsburgh. 
The cost was $1,000,000.00. 

Of office buildings there are several which are in the class 
of skyscrapers. These are the Frick, the Farmers' Bank, 
the Machesney, the Carnegie, the Arrott, the People's Bank 
and others. The most costly of all these is the Frick Build- 
ing, which is twenty-one stories above the sidewalk on Grant 
street and three stories below the same level. It measures 
two hundred and seventeen by one hundred feet. The 
height from the basement level to the roof is 360 feet; the 
total floor space, exclusive of the sub-basement, 357,475 
square feet; the architecture is of the Greek order; the 
entrance ways, floors and walls are of Italian marble of 
which 220,000 square feet were used ; the ceiling is paneled 
with Pavonazzo marble. The main interior doors on the 
ground floor are of bronze. Opposite the Grant street 

[ 239 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

entrance is a window by LaFarge representing Fortune on 
her Wheel. The hallways above the first story are lined 
with Carrara marble and San Domingo mahogany. The 
building is equipped with ten elevators and other con- 
veniences, such as barber shops, a haberdashery and a 
women's parlor. The interesting feature of the basement 
floor is the great armor plate steel vault of the Union Safe 
Deposit Company. This vault is the largest of its kind in 
the world; its two massive doors weighing 17 tons each. 

In facilities for local traffic by electric railways, Pitts- 
burgh has reached the limit, in so far as surface lines are 
concerned. Owing to the physical limitations, there is but 
little room to provide for the increasing traffic. Routes must 
be established, either above or below the surface, and the 
day is not far distant when actual operations must begin on 
them. The surface railways, all of which are controlled by 
the Pittsburgh Railways Company, reach out in all direc- 
tions to the suburbs and adjoining towns and cities, such as 
Coraopolis, Homestead, Braddock, McKeesport, East Pitts- 
burgh, Wilmerding, Wilkinsburg, Oakmont, Verona, Belle- 
vue, Avalon and Etna, the longest suburban line operated 
being the line to Allenport, a distance of 42 miles up the 
Monongahela river. The total length of the track operated 
by the company is about 492 miles. About 723 of the com- 
pany's 1670 cars are used daily. The number of passengers 
carried during the year 1905 was 191,084,335. Lines are 
being operated from Butler to connect with the Pittsburgh 
Railways Company's line at Etna ; another is to be extended 
from Butler to Evans City and from New Castle to Evans 
City, thence to connect with the lines of the Pittsburgh Rail- 
ways Company in Allegheny. Still another line is to be 
constructed from Cannonsburg to Castle Shannon which 
will connect the line from Washington, Pa., to Cannonsburg 
with the line of the Pittsburgh Railways Company at Castle 
Shannon. In addition to these are the incline plane rail- 
ways of which there are in operation ; the Knoxville, 2,000 
feet in length, connecting South Eleventh street with Wash- 
ington avenue, Allentown ; the Castle Shannon, length 2,112 
feet, connecting West Carson street with Bailey avenue; 
the Monongahela, length 640 feet, connecting West Carson 

[240 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

street with Grandview avenue; the Mt. Oliver, connecting 
South Twelfth street with Mt. Oliver; the St. Clair, 1,320 
feet, connecting South Twenty-second street and Arlington 
Heights ; the Duquesne, connecting West Carson street with 
Duquesne Heights; and the Penn, connecting Penn avenue 
at Seventeenth street with Ridge street. 

At present, within the corporate limits, the following 
bridges span the rivers : The Union, Sixth street. Seventh 
street. Ninth street. Fort Wayne Railroad, Sixteenth street. 
Thirtieth street, Pittsburgh Junction Railroad, Forty-third 
street, Sharpsburg, Highland Park, Brilliant Cut Off over 
the Allegheny; the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad over 
the Ohio ; the Point, Wabash, Smithfield street. South Tenth 
street. South Twenty-second street, Glenwood, Brown and 
the Jones & Laughlin over the Monongahela. 

Among the notable events of the years succeeding 1870, 
may be mentioned the extensive addition to the city on the 
second of March, 1872, of the district south of the Monon- 
gahela as the result of an Act of May tenth, 1871. This 
territory comprised 27.7 square miles with a population 
approximating 165,000. It was soon found that the ma- 
chinery of government did not fit the enlarged municipality. 
It was inadequate and unwieldy. An effort was made to 
improve it by the passage of a bill in the Legislature of 
1873-74, but the new constitution of the State forbidding 
special legislation having gone into effect before the Gov- 
ernor's signature was attached to the bill, it became in- 
operative. Another attempt was made in 1874, when an Act 
entitled the Wallace Act, which divided the cities of the 
State into three classes, was passed. In accordance with its 
terms, the Governor appointed commissioners to draft 
charters for the three classes of cities, which was done. 
The Legislature, however, did not approve of the work of 
the commissioners, and Pittsburgh was left without sufficient 
governmental machinery until the Act of 1887. Repeated 
efforts at the consolidation of the two cities, Pittsburgh 
and Allegheny, and the adjacent sections, have been made 
since 1854. Previous to this the question was discussed 
from time to time in the public prints. Among the earliest 
mentions was one in the Commercial Journal of April sixth, 
i6 [ 241 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

1846 ; later the Dispatch took up the question. The bill of 
the session of 1853-54 met with such strenuous opposition 
from Allegheny and the boroughs that it failed of passage. 
The Philadelphia North American, in December, 1853, 
stated that the accomplishment of consolidation required 
" more exertion than our Pittsburgh friends seem to be 
inclined to make, ' ' and it was noted that Pittsburgh suffered 
then, as now, by reason of not being credited with its actual 
size, population, wealth, resources, enterprises, etc., and 
that the Pittsburghers ' ' have neglected to take those steps 
which can alone secure for their city the importance which 
is its due * * *." After this first practical effort to 
consolidate, the desire became more wide-spread yearly. 
Numerous bills have been introduced, but for one reason or 
another, principally political, the two cities have remained 
under separate governments. By an Act of Assembly, 
March seventh, 1901, entitled ' ' an Act for the Government 
of Cities of the Second Class," the office of mayor was 
abolished and executive powers were vested in a recorder, 
who was given all the powers of a justice of the peace for a 
term of three years, after which he was not eligible for re- 
election for any city office for two years to come. The Act 
also divided the duties and rights of the presidents of Select 
and Common Councils and established rules and restrictions 
for the governance of the various departments of the city 
government. Next came the Act of April twenty-third, 
1903, changing the title of the chief executive officer of 
cities of the second-class from recorder to mayor; then 
came the Act of 1905, which was declared unconstitutional ; 
and finally, the Act of February seventh, 1906, known as 
' ' The Greater Pittsburgh Act. ' ' This Act, like the others 
since the Constitution of 1874, is general in form, but is 
really intended for Pittsburgh and Allegheny. It provides 
that a petition by ordinance of Councils of either of said 
cities or of '' two per centum of the registered voters of 
either of said (two contiguous) cities " may be presented 
to the Court of Quarter Sessions, praying that they ' ' shall 
be united and become one city," and that upon the filing of 
such petition any person interested may file exception to 
said petition prior to the day fixed for the hearing thereof, 

[ 242 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

and that the court shall order an election to be held in said 
cities to vote for or against the proposed consolidation, at 
which all legal voters of either of said cities and of the said 
intervening land, if any, shall be qualified to vote. The 
election for consolidation was held June twelfth, 1906, and 
June SLKteenth, by order of the court and, in conformity to 
the will of the majority of the people, Pittsburgh and Alle- 
gheny were declared one city. The legality of the consolida- 
tion is being contested, on constitutional grounds, by its 
opponents who are animated chiefly by political motives, 
and the case will be decided by the Supreme Court the com- 
ing fall. The law provides that the elected officers of the 
separate cities shall not be removed until the end of their 
terms ; that Councils be consolidated and that the mayor of 
the larger city shall be mayor of the consolidated city, and 
the mayor of the smaller city shall be deputy-mayor, for 
the terms for which they were elected, the deputy-mayor to 
succeed the mayor in case of death or removal from office ; 
the deputy-mayor to sign ordinances and resolutions relat- 
ing solely to the smaller city; veto power for mayor and 
deputy-mayor; present departments preserved and consol- 
idated, heads of those of larger city to remain in control, 
with heads of departments of smaller city as assistants; 
employees of all departments to be retained; councilmanic 
terms to be extended where they do not expire in the same 
year in either city, and, before expiration of councilmanic 
terms, wards to be divided and consolidated and the appor- 
tionment of Select and Common Councilmen made, and that 
each city ' ' shall pay its own floating and bonded indebted- 
ness and liabilities of every kind, and the interest thereon, 
as the same existed at the time of annexation." The Hon. 
George W. Guthrie, elected February twentieth, 1906, is the 
present Mayor of Pittsburgh, and the present Mayor of 
Allegheny is the Hon. Charles F. Kirschler. 

If the courts sustain the action of the people, Pittsburgh 
will rank sixth in population among the cities of the United 
States, whereas, it is now the eleventh. The population of 
Pittsburgh, according to the census of 1900, was 321,616 ; of 
Allegheny, 129,896. The population of Pittsburgh in 1905, 
according to an estimate made by the Board of Health, was 

[ 243 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBURGH 

383,000 ; of Allegheny, 150,000. The total amount of bonded 
indebtedness of Pittsburgh, January thirty-first, 1906, was 
$22,700,401.87; of Allegheny, December thirty-first, 1905, 
$6,103,000. Thus, under consolidation, Pittsburgh will be- 
come a community of 533,000, with a bonded debt of 
$28,803,401.87. Its total area will be increased to over 38 
square miles. It will have 115 ward schools, 4 high schools ; 
500 miles of water mains; 5,000 arc lights; 400 miles of 
paved streets; 1,300 acres of public parks; 450 miles of 
sewers ; 108 banks, with a capital of sixty millions of dollars. 
It will move up in the Clearing House reports ; it will move 
up to fifth place in national bank deposits and its increased 
area will give it fourth place in property valuation. It has 
been said " Pittsburgh is the apotheosis of American civil- 
ization. To-day it stands at the threshold of a future so 
great as to silence the prophets, who see only an ever- 
widening horizon, and are unable to grasp the vision of 
what lies beyond." 

The story of Pittsburgh's progress in the world of in- 
dustry and commerce for the past twenty-five years is too 
well known to recount in detail here. Lincoln called Alle- 
gheny county the '' State of Allegheny " in the early six- 
ties. To-day the State of Allegheny is lost sight of in the 
comprehension of that more significent term, the Pittsburgh 
District, which comprises the territory within a radius of 
from forty to fifty miles of the city proper. It is, in truth, 
Greater Pittsburgh in spite of the numerous failures to 
include the cities of Pittsburgh and Allegheny under one 
municipal government. In reaching this eminence many 
factors have conjointly played a part. Influences emanat- 
ing from the four quarters of the earth are to be taken into 
account in the analysis of the prominence of this district. 
The laws of nations, the advancement in science and the in- 
born spirit of man to achieve, have all had some effect here 
until Pittsburgh stands to-day as the foremost industrial 
center, originating in her manufactories and mines more 
tons of freight than any other city in the world. Her 
progress remains unchecked and no man dares to set a limit 
to her future. 

Among the agencies that have affected this marvelous 

[ 244 ] 




:\\ 




THE MUNICIPALITY 

development may be mentioned the national tariff laws of 
the last quarter of a century; with one or two exceptions 
they have been favorable. An endeavor has been made, in 
the preceding pages, to give the reader an intelligible under- 
standing of this influence in the upbuilding of the city dur- 
ing the past century. The discovery of new methods in 
manufacture, the development of transportation facilities 
and the widening of the world's markets have been other 
important factors; but when these various items are con- 
sidered, there remains the primal factor — the essence of 
her present greatness — the advantage of location. 

In the history of nations since the invention of the 
steam engine, we find that the most prosperous are those 
in which abundant stores of iron and coal are found in close 
proximity. Of these two physical forces, in the upbuilding 
of industry, coal has been demonstrated to be the most 
valuable, and, in so far as this locality is concerned, natural 
gas may be added as a powerful auxiliary for the past 
twenty-five years. These are the levers which supply the 
power for the conversion of not only iron, but practically 
all the raw materials of nature into finished products. In 
the consideration of location as a factor in the achievement 
of the industrial and commercial prestige which Pittsburgh 
holds to-day, must be reckoned first, her industrial setting in 
the midst of nature's most bountiful supply of coal, and 
second, her setting at the confluence of two great rivers, at 
the head of navigable waters that either touch or penetrate 
over one-third of the States of the Union with a territory of 
over a million square miles. These two advantages are the 
ones that have primarily ensured the steady, healthy growth 
of industry and commerce, which have evolved the present 
Pittsburgh by affording manufacturing, importation and 
exportation at the lowest cost, at the same time stimulating 
the inauguration and competition of land routes of trans- 
portation until to-day, notwithstanding the difficulties met 
with, political and others, in the establishing of some of the 
routes, the transportation facilities of Pittsburgh are sec- 
ond to no other manufacturing center in the world. 

The three counties, Allegheny, Westmoreland, and 
Fayette, of which Pittsburgh is the center, contain the 

[ 245 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

richest deposits of coal to be found anywhere in the United 
States. It is admirably suited to all the purposes known 
for the use of coal; that of the Connellsville region being 
especially adapted to the manufacture of coke, having a 
small percentage of sulphur and a large percentage of 
carbon. It has been calculated that there are 8,000,000 
tons to every square mile of the 2,500 in the Pittsburgh 
region alone. The first use of coal dates back to the days 
of Fort Pitt, and vague records or traditions state that the 
French used it in the days of Fort Duquesne. In 1784 the 
Penns issued grants to mine coal from the southside hills. 
O'Hara and Craig were the first to use it for manufacturing 
purposes in their glass house in 1797. From the days of 
the first shipments of coal down the Ohio in 1814 by Thomas 
Jones, who brought his coal to the river bank on sleds in 
the winter and floated it down the river in the summer, the 
coal trade of Pittsburgh has steadily increased. It was 
accelerated in 1845 as a result of the successful venture of 
Daniel Bushnell in towing three small barges with a cargo 
of 6,000 bushels to Cincinnati by steam. With the advent 
of railroads, and the increase in manufacturing, came the 
wider development of the coal fields each year. The out- 
put for 1903 reached the enormous total of 36,000,000 tons 
for the Pittsburgh District. This was about one-eighth of 
the total production of the United States for that year. 

The production of coke in commercial quantities dates 
from 1841, when three men, William Turner, Jr., Provance 
McCormick, and John Campbell, erected two ovens a 
few miles below Connellsville on the farm of James 
Taylor. By the Spring of 1842, 1,600 bushels had been 
manufactured and were shipped down the rivers and sold 
in Cincinnati. Its use in the manufacture of iron has. super- 
ceded charcoal to a greater and greater extent each year, 
until the output in 1903 amounted to 14,138,748 tons. This 
was nearly 3,000,000 tons over the production for the 
balance of the United States in that year. 

The largest producer of coke in this region, and in the 
world, is the H. C. Frick Company, which owns nearly 
40,000 acres of coal and 12,000 coke ovens, with a daily 
capacity of 25,000 tons. In addition to organizing and 

[ 246 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

developing this industry to its present proportions, Mr. 
Frick is one of the most aggressive business men of Pitts- 
burgh. His activity in industrial circles during the past 
twenty-five years is a matter of history. He became con- 
nected with the Carnegie interests in 1889 when he was 
chosen Chairman of the Board of Directors, which place he 
filled for many years through the successive changes in the 
corporation. During the Homestead strike in July, 1902, 
he came prominently before the public through his master- 
ful management of the difficulties arising at that time. It 
is said that because of his part in this strike he was marked 
by the Anarchists and shot and stabbed shortly afterward 
by the notorious Berkman, who was recently released from 
the Western Penitentiary after serving sentence for the 
commission of the crime. Mr. Frick is one of the largest 
realty holders of the city, and has drawn attention to Pitts- 
burgh by the erection of the mammoth Frick Building, said 
to be the finest office building in the world. 

To the above carboniferous fuels, native of the Pitts- 
burgh District, must be added two others closely related, 
natural gas and petroleum, the history of which begins at 
a somewhat later date. The application to manufacturing 
purposes of the first of these latter power and heat pro- 
ducing agencies began in 1875, when Graff, Bennett & 
Co., and others, organized the Natural Gas Company, 
Limited, and piped gas from wells in Butler county seven- 
teen miles to their mills at Etna. In May, 1884, George 
Westinghouse organized the Philadelphia Company for the 
purpose of supplying fuel and illumination to manufac- 
tories, commercial establishments, and residences of Pitts- 
burgh. From the start this company has been prosperous 
and may be numbered among the giant corporations of the 
city, having absorbed all other companies in the field. Its 
Twenty-second Annual Report for the year ending March 
thirty-first, 1906, shows a net income of $3,380,446.96. For 
the year 1903, before the consolidation, the combined capital 
of the Pittsburgh Natural Gas Companies was $60,000,- 
000.00; miles of pipe line, 4,000; number of wells, 2,000; 
acres of land under lease, 500,000; daily consumption 
(cubic feet), 350,000,000; mills and factories supplied, 

[ 247 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBURGH 

1,000 ; families supplied, 130,000, and wells drilled annually, 
500. 

The success of the Drake well, the first oil well in the 
fields of Western Pennsylvania, August twenty-eighth, 
1859, marks the beginning of this industry which has 
reached such mammoth proportions. In its development 
the Pittsburgh District has been the leader. From the less 
than 20,000,000 gallons produced in 1860, 30,000,000 barrels 
were produced in 1903. In the early days of petroleum the 
city of Pittsburgh numbered among her industries scores of 
refineries. 

Pittsburgh's iron and steel industries have increased in 
such ratio during the past twenty-five years that any 
attempt to treat this division of her interests in detail 
would be disproportionate in a volume of this character. 
Facts concerning the early history of the iron industry have 
been given in preceding pages. Notwithstanding this re- 
markable growth through the Civil War period, it was 
not until the introduction of the Bessemer process of steel 
making in 1874 that the boom, if it may be so called, which 
has lasted to the present time, began. Pittsburgh had drawn 
her supply of pig iron from the surrounding counties up to 
the year 1859, no successful attempt to establish a furnace 
here having been made since the failure of George An- 
shuntz in 1794. In 1859 the Clinton furnace was built on 
the South Side by Graff, Bennett & Co. Others soon 
followed. 

Among the early iron and steel manufacturies, not men- 
tioned elsewhere in this volume, were G. and J. H. Schoen- 
berger, 1841; Jones (Isaac) and Quigg, 1845; Singer, 
Nimick & Co., 1848 ; Hussey, Howe & Co., 1859 (the pioneer 
manufacturers of crucible steel in America, 1860, by a 
process known as the '' direct " process, invented by Mr. 
Hussey of the firm) ; Jones, Lauth & Co., 1852 ; Porter, 
Rolfe & Swett, 1857, and Moorhead & Co., 1859. 

The firm of Jones, Lauth & Co. deserves special mention, 
for it was the beginning of the Jones & Laughlin Steel Co. 
of to-day, the largest independent steel company of the 
world. It stands as a monument to B. F. Jones, the partner 
of Lauth, and to James Laughlin, who was admitted to 

[ 248 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

partnership in 1854, and as the junior member of the firm 
of Jones & Laughlin upon the retirement of Mr. Lauth 
when the firm was reorganized in 1857. In 1883 there was 
another reorganization when the style of the firm became 
Jones & Laughlin, Limited, and in August, 1902, the pres- 
ent corporation was chartered under Pennsylvania laws 
with a capital of $30,000,000.00. The Jones & Laughlin 
American Iron & Steel Works were the first to use the Lake 
Superior ores, and they erected the Eliza furnace, the third 
in Allegheny county, in 1860. Since then several others 
have been built. The company now owns extensive ore 
properties in the Lake Superior region and many thousand 
acres of coal lands, and coke for the furnaces is made in 
the mill yards. It also owns a great section of limestone 
deposit at Holidaysburg. Their steel works are known the 
world over for the production of the famous Jones & 
Laughlin cold-rolled shafting, as well as all other forms 
of rolled material. The total annual capacity of its plants 
approximate 1,000,000 tons of billets and blooms and 
1,000,000 tons of finished rolled material. 

To recount in detail the history of the various industrial 
enterprises of Andrew Carnegie from the commencement 
of the Cyclops Iron Co., October fourteenth, 1864, to the 
Carnegie Steel Co., Limited, in 1892, and its subsequent 
merger into the United States Steel Corporation in Feb- 
ruary, 1901, would require too much space here; but the 
story is interesting, and throughout its length are to be 
found records of those dominant traits of the founder of 
this colossal establishment that distinguish him as the King 
of the Captains of Industry. The numerous concerns 
which he organized, or in which he became interested, and 
the apparent recklessness with which he plunged into un- 
known fields, installed new processes of manufacture, and 
his extraordinary faculty of surrounding himself with 
talent of the highest order, all attest to the justness of 
according him this place in industrial history. 

Following the establishment of the Cyclops Iron Co. 
came the organization of the Keystone Bridge Co. in 1865. 
For this company the Cyclops Iron Co. furnished iron for 
bridges ; then followed the Union Iron Mills, 1865 ; Carnegie, 

[ 249 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Kloman & Co., 1870; Carnegie & Co., 1871; The Keystone 
Bridge Co., Incorporated, 1872; Carnegie, McCandless & 
Co., 1873; the Edgar Thomson Steel Co., 1874; the Lucy 
Furnace Co., 1877; the Pittsburgh Bessemer Steel Co., 
Limited, 1879; Carnegie Brothers & Co., Limited, 1881; 
Lucy Furnace Co., Limited, 1881; Wilson, Walker & Co., 
Limited, 1882 ; Hartman Steel Co., Limited, 1883 ; Carnegie, 
Phipps & Co., Limited, 1886; Duquesne Steel Co., 1886; the 
Allegheny Bessemer Steel Co., 1888; Carnegie, Phipps & 
Co., Limited, 1891, and the Carnegie Steel Co., 1892. 

Ten years after its introduction into the United States, 
the Bessemer process of steel making was introduced into 
the Pittsburgh District through the erection of the Edgar 
Thomson Steel plant at Braddock in 1874. This company 
was capitalized at $1,000,000.00; a plant consisting of a 
Bessemer converter and rail mill was built; and favorable 
tariff legislation succored it through its earliest years. 
New furnaces have been added to the plant from time to 
time, until now there are eleven, and it ranks as the model 
of the Carnegie Steel Works. The works of the Pittsburgh 
Bessemer Steel Co., the famous Homestead Steel Works, 
built in 1880-81, come next in importance. Their rapid 
growth was the marvel of the steel producing world for 
many years. They are noted for their immense production 
of open-hearth steel. In 1902 they produced 34 per cent of 
the open-hearth output of the United States. Among other 
properties of this company are the Duquesne Steel Works, 
a few miles above Homestead, and the Upper & Lower 
Union Mills in Pittsburgh proper. There were enumerated 
in 1903 as belonging to the Carnegie Steel Co., 19 blast 
fumaces (2 building), 3 steel works with 8 Bessemer con- 
verters; 56 open-hearth fumaces (12 building), 5 rolling 
plants with 34 mills, an armor plate works, and a forge for 
the manufacture of locomotive and car axles. The total 
capacity of these is calculated at 3,430,000 tons of steel, or 
about one-third of the entire production of the United 
States. 

In the Pittsburgh District for the year 1903, there were 
produced 4,211,569 tons of pig iron, 5,261,380 tons of iron 
and steel, and 712,300 tons of steel rails. There were 43 

[ 250 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

blast furnaces, with an annual capacity of 7,056,000 tons; 
15 Bessemer converters, with an annual capacity of 3,920,- 
000 tons; 116 open-hearth furnaces, with an annual capacity 
of 3,472,000 tons, and 1 Talbot open-hearth furnace, with an 
annual capacity of 67,200 tons. 

For more than one hundred years Pittsburgh has been 
the center of the glass industry of the United States. The 
stories of the beginning of the manufacture of glass in Pitts- 
burgh by O'Hara and Craig, in 1797, and that of the first 
successful flint glass works in the United States by Bake- 
well and Ensell, and B. Bakewell & Co., in 1808-9, have been 
told in the preceding pages. The growth of this industry 
here has kept pace with that of the other giants. The 
superiority of natural gas as a fuel and the reliableness of 
the Pittsburgh fields have been the most important factors 
in its development. Glass in all conceivable varieties and 
shapes is produced. During 1902 the window glass pro- 
duction amounted to $5,279,000.00, nearly one-half of that 
for the entire United States; plate glass to the amount 
of $3,954,728.00 was made ; this was three-fifths of the total 
production of the United States. Pressed glass, table ware, 
bottles and other hollow-ware were manufactured to the 
amount of $2,542,500.00, about one-fourth of the total pro- 
duction of the United States ; and lamp glass to the amount 
of $2,500,000.00, making a total value of glass production 
amounting to $14,276,228.00, nearly one-half of the entire 
output of the United States. 

As a benefactor of the human race, a man of rare in- 
ventive genius and executive ability, ceaseless energy and 
devotion to the numerous interests he has built up to such 
enormous proportions, George Westinghouse stands high 
among the men who have achieved fame by reason of the 
benefits they have bestowed on mankind. His invention and 
perfection of the air brake, and the establishment of the 
great plants at Wilmerding for their manufacture, together 
with the building up of the giant electrical and manufactur- 
ing works at East Pittsburgh, and the establishment of the 
works at Swissvale for the manufacture of railway safety 
appliances, entitles him to this distinction. This man, of 
German descent, was born in the little town of Central 

[ 251 ] ' 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Bridge, N. Y., October sixth, 1846. His ancestry was Dutch- 
English, his father, a manufacturer; his early education 
limited to the sophomore year of Union College. But hia 
active brain reached beyond the confines of college walls to, 
what to him was a more vital reality, the industrial world. 
In 1868 he invented the air brake. History repeating itself 
compelled Mr. Westinghouse to many persistent efforts to 
interest capital in his invention. Having failed in the east, 
he came to the industrial metropolis of the west, and all the 
world knows the story of his achievements. 

The foundation of the great establishment at Wilmerding, 
fourteen miles east of Pittsburgh, was laid in a rude in- 
significant shop at the corner of Twenty-fifth street, Pitts- 
burgh. The patent for the air brake was issued to Mr. 
Westinghouse April thirteenth, 1869, and the Westinghouse 
Air Brake Co., and the manufacture of air brakes was be- 
gun the same year. In 1890 the Wilmerding plant was 
occupied ; numerous additions have been made from time to 
time until to-day the employees number over 3,000. The 
Westinghouse Machine Co., organized in 1881 for the man- 
ufacture of Westinghouse High Speed Steam Engines, also 
began in the little shop on Twenty-fifth street. To-day it 
occupies an extensive area at East Pittsburgh where en- 
gines of all kinds are made, including great Corliss engines, 
some of which range up to 6,500 I. H. P. gas engines, and 
the Westinghouse-Parsons steam turbines. This factory 
employs about the same number of men as the Air Brake 
works. The combined properties of this company include, 
in addition to the East Pittsburgh works, the Stoker works 
at Cragin (South Chicago), Illinois, and the foundries at 
Trafford City, three miles east of the East Pittsburgh 
plant. The Union Switch & Signal Co., organized in 1882 
for the manufacture of the various switch and signal de- 
vices invented by Mr. Westinghouse, began its career, like 
the first two mentioned, in Pittsburgh. The works of this 
company were established at Swissvale in 1886, and they 
employ about 1,000 men. Next came the Westinghouse 
Electric & Manufacturing Co., organized in 1886. This 
company was the pioneer in the manufacture of apparatus 
for the alternating system of electrical distribution. The 

[ 252 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

obstacles which designing competitors put in the way of the 
introduction of the alternating system would doubtless have 
overwhelmed a less determined man ; but with full belief in 
the future of this system, the patents of which he had 
acquired, he fought, and the fruit of his victory belongs to 
the world. Like Andrew Carnegie, he surrounded himself 
with the best talent obtainable. In 1888 Nikola Tesla be- 
came associated with him, and the polyphase system of 
electrical transmission soon followed. It is not the purpose 
here to dilate on the advantages of this system in long dis- 
tance electrical transmission; it is sufficient to say that the 
same little shop that had nurtured the infant days of the 
other plants was soon outgrown by this last and greatest 
Westinghouse enterprise and it was moved, first, to Alle- 
gheny, then in 1894 to East Pittsburgh where 47 acres of 
ground are occupied with an available floor space of over 
2,000,000 square feet, giving employment to 9,000 workers, 
many of whom are skilled mechanics and trained engineers. 
From year to year the interests and output of this company 
have grown. Additional plants are located in Allegheny, 
Pa., Cleveland, Ohio, and Newark, N. J., increasing the 
number of employees to 12,000. The R. D. Nuttall Company 
of Pittsburgh ; the Sawyer-Man Electric Company of New 
York city, the Bryant Electric Company and the Perkins 
Electric Switch Manufacturing Co., of Bridgeport, Conn., 
are also directly controlled by the Westinghouse Electric 
& Manufacturing Co. Other companies numbered among 
the Westinghouse enterprises are : Westinghouse, Church, 
Kerr & Co., engineers and contractors; the Pittsburgh 
Meter Co., the Nemst Lamp Co., the Cooper-Hewitt Elec- 
tric Co., the Westinghouse Traction Brake Co., the Amer- 
ican Brake Co., the Canadian Westinghouse Company, 
Limited ; the British Westinghouse Electric & Manufactur- 
ing Co. ; the Westinghouse Brake Co., Limited, of London, 
Paris and Hanover; Societe Anonyme Westinghouse of 
France; Westinghouse Electricitats-Actiengesellschaft of 
Berlin, Germany; and Westinghouse Company, Limited, of 
Russia. The total capitalization of the various Westing- 
house interests represents, approximatelv, the sum of 
$100,000,000.00; the annual output, $75,000,000.00. The 

[ 253 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

various Pittsburgh plants cover an area of several hundred 
acres and employ 20,000 people. The Westinghouse work- 
shops represent the most modern developments in construc- 
tion and the latest improvements in equipment, operating 
facilities and organization. 

From these small beginnings in the manufacture of elec- 
trical and railway safety appliances in 1869, the value of 
electrical and auxiliary manufactures in the Pittsburgh 
District in 1903 reached the mark of $40,000,000.00; air 
brakes, $8,453,000.00 ; railway switch and signal appliances, 
$2,133,000.00; underground cable and wire, $12,000,000.00. 

Unique among the manufacturing interests of Pittsburgh 
stands the Riter-Conley Manufacturing Company, organ- 
ized April, 1873. This company builds every variety of 
manufacturing plants, even setting them in operation for 
the purchaser. They will design the most elaborate series 
of mills or factories, and conceive and construct the ma- 
chinery to turn out the product therein. They produce 
annually 100,000 tons of manufactured steel and employ 
over 5,000 men. Some of the largest furnaces and steel 
plants in the world were constructed by this concern. 

Another of the remarkable industries of Pittsburgh is 
the James Rees & Son's Company, contractors and builders 
of river steamboats, light-draft vessels and marine boilers, 
founded 1855 hj Captain James Rees. This company also 
enjoys a world-wide market for its product. The boats con- 
structed by them are built complete and set up in their plant, 
afterwards taken down and shipped to their destination. 
They build also every description of land and marine en- 
gines as well as marine boilers, in the manufacture of which 
they are specialists. They employ hundreds of people, and 
it was in this plant that the ten-hour system for a working 
day was inaugurated in the mills and shops of Pittsburgh 
by James Rees. 

The manufacture of light locomotives began in Pitts- 
burgh in the year 1867, by Smith & Porter, who began 
business in 1866 in a single room with rented power, on 
Twenty-eighth street. The two members of the firm, one 
machinist and one apprentice constituted the entire work- 
ing force. A few months afterward they began building a 

[ 254 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

shop on Bingham street where they turned out many sta- 
tionary engines. On the fourth of March, 1867, they re- 
ceived their first locomotive contract; on Thanksgiving 
Day, nine months afterwards, it was shipped. From this 
day the business increased rapidly. In 1870, 19 locomotives 
of various types were constructed. At about this time the 
style of the firm became Porter, Bell & Co., and a new 
location for the factory was selected on the Allegheny 
Valley Railroad some distance from the old one. In 1872, 
34 locomotives were turned out ; in 1875 the first locomotive 
with the boiler constructed wholly of crucible steel plates 
was built. Four years afterwards the shops were greatly 
enlarged ; and in 1878, on the death of Mr. Bell, the present 
firm of the H. K. Porter Co. was organized. Then began the 
method of construction that permitted the locomotive being 
shipped in sections, among the first of which was one ex- 
ported to Japan in 1880. In 1891 the first compressed-air 
mine locomotive was built, and from this date may be 
reckoned the most vigorous growth of the company. The 
system of haulage by compressed-air locomotives is recog- 
nized as the safest, most economical and reliable for under- 
ground work and surface work where the risk of fire is 
hazardous, and the company has brought the manufacture 
of this type of locomotive to perfection. The need for more 
room has been met from time to time until to-day the 
capacity of these works is about 300 locomotives annually. 
As a result of the discovery and development of the 
Pennsylvania oil fields, Pittsburgh has become the center 
market for the supply of the equipment necessary in work- 
ing these fields and taking care of their product. Here is 
located the Oil Well Supply Company, which began with a 
capital of $50,000.00. It is now rated at $1,500,000.00 with 
a surplus of over $3,000,000.00. Although the main offices 
of this company are in Pittsburgh its mammoth plants are 
located in divers parts of the country; the largest, the Im- 
perial Works, is at Oil City; another is located at Bradford. 
Here engines and machinery of every description necessary 
for most any kind of equipment are made. Derrick rigs are 
made at Parkersburg, West Virginia; sucker-rods at Van 
Wert, Ohio, Poplar Bluffs, Mo., and Memphis, Tenn. The 

[ 255 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

company maintains stores and agencies in all oil producing 
territories, including foreign. It owns and controls nu- 
merous patents on the machinery it manufactures, and it 
controls the services of the most resourceful and competent 
men in the business. 

In contrast with the heavier and coarser products of the 
Pittsburgh District may be mentioned the fact that here are 
manufactured the most delicate astronomical instruments 
at the establishment of the John A. Brashear Co., Limited. 
They are in use in every well equipped observatory of the 
world. There was recently made at this establishment the 
largest perfect plane in existence. It was thirty inches in 
diameter and no part of the surface varied one-millionth 
of an inch from a true plane. Range finders are also made 
in Pittsburgh. 

To the foregoing leading industries of Pittsburgh may be 
added the manufacture of steel cars, in which over 11,000 
men are employed, over 500,000 tons of steel consumed and 
40,000 cars made annually. Structual shapes were made 
in Pittsburgh in 1902 to the amount of 773,000 tons; 
tubing 650,000 tons, tin plate 198,500 tons, crucible steel 
62,800 tons, aluminum 7,500,000 pounds, cork (finished prod- 
uct) 2,500 tons, 38 brick-making plants made 50,000,000 
bricks. In the manufacture of fire-proofing material Pitts- 
burgh leads the world with an annual output of 1,000,000 
tons. The Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Co., estab- 
lished 1866, with works in Allegheny (covering 10 acres of 
ground and employing 1,000 men) and New Brighton, Pa., 
Louisville, Ky., Detroit, Mich. (2 plants), is another great 
Pittsburgh industry. Pickled and canned goods to the 
amount of $4,650,000.00 annually are also made here. The 
principal manufacturer of these products is the H. J. Heinz 
Company, organized in 1869. The plant of this company 
consists of 15 brick buildings with an area of 672,000 square 
feet of floor space. There are over 3,000 regular employees, 
and in the summer over 40,000 persons harvest the com- 
pany's crops on nearly 20.000 acres of land. The annual 
white lead output amounts to 500 carloads; manufactured 
copper 6,000.000 pounds, and lumber (consumed and dis- 
tributed), 1,000,000,000 feet. 

[ 256 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

The manufacturing industries of Pittsburgh employ more 
than 250,000 men; there are 5,000 shops, mills and factories, 
and more than $2,000,000,000.00 invested in iron and steel 
manufacturing. 

To move the vast tonnage of Pittsburgh with sufficient 
celerity to keep the wheels of industry in motion, the rail 
and water transportation facilities are adequate to meet 
the present needs without danger of serious congestion such 
as blocked business in 1903. Improvements are constantly 
being made to keep pace with the increase which amounts 
to 20 per cent, yearly. The total tonnage brought into 
the Pittsburgh District and shipped out of it, not in- 
cluding freight in transit, for the year 1905, amounted to 
103,000,000 tons of which 92,000,000 was rail and 11,000,000 
water tonnage. Pittsburgh's rail tonnage is greater than 
the combined tonnage of New York, Boston and Chicago, 
and the traffic of her three rivers is greater than that of 
New York city. The railroad lines entering Pittsburgh are 
the Baltimore & Ohio ; the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh ; 
the Pennsylvania Company; the Pennsylvania R. R. Co., 
the Pittsburgh' & Lake Erie; the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis and the Wabash & Pittsburgh Termi- 
nal. The Lake Shore & Michigan Central Ry. and the Erie 
R. R. also have arrangements with the Pittsburgh & Lake 
Erie R. R. by which they handle freight into and out of the 
Pittsburgh District as though they had their own tracks. 
In the Pittsburgh District it is now possible to handle be- 
tween 20,000 and 25,000 cars daily. The Pennsylvania alone 
handles an average of 6,500 cars, the Baltimore & Ohio 
5,000 and the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie about 4,000. The 
passenger traffic averages about 1,500,000 a month. To 
handle this traffic 664 passenger trains are operated. Of 
this number 497 arrive and depart through the Union Sta- 
tion, 96 through the Baltimore & Ohio, 12 through the 
Wabash and 59 through the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie. 

A project which will be of vast benefit to Pittsburgh, and 
which bids fair of reaching consummation, is the Lake Erie 
& Ohio River Ship Canal, connecting Pittsburgh with Lake 
Erie via the Ohio, Beaver and Mahoning rivers. This water- 
way will be 15 feet deep, and, it is estimated, will cost 
17 [ 257 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

$33,000,000 when completed, and will make Pittsburgh the 
greatest inland harbor in the world, enabling her to draw 
her vast tonnage of iron ores from the Lake Superior region 
without changing bulk and furnishing a cheaper outlet to 
the north for the increasing production of coal, coke and 
finished iron products. The Allegheny river is being im- 
proved for slack water navigation and a movement is also 
under way to provide a 9-foot stage of low water from 
Pittsburgh to Cairo. It is calculated when these improve- 
ments are realized that the tonnage of the District will in- 
crease 100 per cent. 

In the matter of organizations for bringing to the public 
notice the products of this busy city, Pittsburgh boasts of 
several, the chief ones being the Chamber of Commerce, the 
Merchants & Manufacturers' Association, the Board of 
Trade, the Builders' Exchange League, and the Western 
Pennsylvania Exposition Society. 

The Exposition Society, one of the earliest of these in- 
stitutions, first opened its doors in October, 1875, in a build- 
ing fronting South avenue, between School street and Union 
Bridge, Allegheny. It did not flourish, however, and at the 
end of two years the management changed and became more 
effective. Expositions were regularly held until 1883, when 
the buildings burned, entailing a loss of $750,000,00. The 
present society was organized November seventh, 1885. A 
plot was purchased on Duquesne Way near the Point; 
buildings costing $450,000.00 were erected, and the first 
Exposition in Pittsburgh opened September, 1899. In 
March, 1901, the buildings, except the Music Hall, were 
burned, but they were rebuilt at a cost, of $600,000.00 in 
time for the opening, September fourth. The annual at- 
tendance ranges from three to five hundred thousand; the 
various railroads entering Pittsburgh co-operate with the 
society by furnishing round-trip transportation at one fare 
to a distance of two hundred miles. 

The Chamber of Commerce, Pittsburgh's greatest com- 
mercial association, was chartered July eighth, 1876, and 
supplanted the Board of Trade which had labored in the 
interests of the city for so many years. The Hon. Thomas 
M. Howe was the first president; John F. Dravo, William 

[ 258 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

McCreery, J. T. Stockdale, Mark M. Watson, J. K. Moor- 
head, H. W. Oliver, Jr., J. S. Siagle, vice-presidents ; these 
and A. M. Marshall, Captain R. C. Gray, Joseph D. Weeks, 
Edward Gregg, C. Meyran, J. G. Siebeneck, Simon Reymer, 
Dr. David Hostetter, George A. Kelly, T. Brent Swearin- 
gen, G. W. Hailman, C. A. Carpenter, William Frew, Daniel 
Wallace, S. L. Marvin, M. F. Herron and Arthur Kirk were 
the charter members. The Chamber of Commerce has been 
influential in all matters both great and small that have 
concerned the welfare of Pittsburgh since its organization. 
It has been foremost in every movement that promised to 
make Pittsburgh known throughout the world. In addition 
to attention to those things relating to the business require- 
ments of Pittsburgh, it has been active in all projects in- 
tended to develop and bring prosperity to all sections of 
the country. It was a leader in advocacy of the new De- 
partment of Commerce and Labor; in securing reciprocity 
in trade Avith foreign countries ; the development of south- 
ern industries; the national protection of the Mississippi 
river levee system and in other improvements of the water- 
ways to the Gulf of Mexico ; in the reclamation by irrigation 
of the arid lands of the west and southwest. It is also a 
member of the National Board of Trade. Its present 
officers are H. D. W. English, president; Albert J. Logan, 
John Bindley, Robert Pitcairn, A, P. Burchfield, W. B. 
Rogers, D. P. Black and H. J. Heinz, vice-presidents; Wil- 
liam M. Kennedy, treasurer; Logan McKee, secretary. 

The Pittsburgh Board of Trade which was organized as 
the East End Board of Trade, chartered April first, 1901, 
is also influential in the business community, centralizing 
its efforts for the advantage of the eastern section of the 
city. Its officers are T. D. Harman, president; J. H. Har- 
rison, 0. H. Allerton, vice-presidents; J. C. Aufhammer, 
treasurer, and Chauncey Lobinger, secretary. Other 
Boards of Trade performing the same function for the 
other sections are: the Oakland, the Eighteenth Ward, the 
Mt. Washington and Duquesne Heights Boards of Trade 
and the Bloomfield Business Men's Association. A recent 
federation known as the Commercial Federation has been 
organized and is composed of directors from all the business 

[ 259 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

organizations of the city except the Chamber of Commerce. 
The purpose of this organization is to interest itself in 
matters which do not specially come under the province of 
the associations represented in it. 

The Merchants and Manufacturers' Association of Pitts- 
burgh had its beginning in the rooms of the Monongahela 
Club, September seventeenth, 1903, when eleven of Pitts- 
burgh's progressive business men met to discuss the feasi- 
bility of an organization which would promote and protect 
the manufacturing, financial and commercial interests of 
Pittsburgh, secure better transportation facilities, foster 
present trade and procure new trade, and in every way 
possible, keep Pittsburgh and her multiplicity of vital af- 
fairs to the front. A pennanent organization was effected 
February seventeenth, 1904, with a membership of 100 lead- 
ing firms. A charter was granted April twenty-fifth, 1904, 
and its efforts in the upbuilding of the business community 
through its trade excursions into the surrounding territory 
has increased year by year. To this association belongs 
the credit of organizing the Lake Erie & Ohio River Ship 
Canal Co., and it has accomplished appreciable results in 
obtaining government appropriations for the improvement 
of the Ohio. Its present officers are E. J. Lloyd, president ; 
George A. Kelly, Jr., first vice-president; H. W. Neely, 
second vice-president; D. C. Shaw, third vice-president; 
W. T. Todd, treasurer, and James W. Wardrop, secretary 
and general manager. 

The Builders' Exchange League was organized October 
seventh, 1886, and on July twenty-seventh, 1903, the Build- 
ers' League affiliated and the two became incorporated as 
tlie Builders' Exchange League which is an association of 
master contractors and manufacturers for the encourage- 
ment and protection of the building interests in Greater 
Pittsburgh. Any person, association or organization whose 
members furnish or manufacture material, and any person, 
association or organization engaged in building operations 
are eligible to membership. Over 1,000 of the leading con- 
tractors and manufacturers of Allegheny county are en- 
rolled as members. 

To the foregoing may be added the associations for the 

[ 260 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

protection and promotion of special interests where the 
greatest benefits may be gained through organization. The 
most prominent of these are, the Clearing House Associa- 
tion, Grrain and Flour Exchange, Coal Exchange, Live Stock 
Exchange, Wholesale Grocers' Association, Stock Ex- 
change, Association of Flint & Lime Glass Manuafcturers, 
Iron Exchange, Retail Merchants' Exchange, Fruit Ex- 
change, and the Bankers and Bank Clerks Mutual Benefit 
Association. 

Co-extensive with the development of Pittsburgh along 
the paths of industr}^ and commerce during the past hun- 
dred years, is to be found the development of her financial 
institutions. Here have been brought out and maintained 
banking principles of the highest order. In these institu- 
tions were developed men who met the sLocks of panic and 
war with honor and patriotism, and though there are pages 
in the banking history of Pittsburgh, through the public 
land and railroad speculative periods of the years before 
the Civil War, that had been better left unwritten, the 
solidity of her institutions in their entirety and the wisdom 
and sagacity with which they are conducted, entitles her to 
the place she holds to-day in the financial world. To give 
the history of the nearly two hundred banks and trust com- 
panies of Greater Pittsburgh, or Allegheny county, will not 
be attempted here. Pages of orderly figures are interesting 
to mathematicians — and bankers when they relate to bank- 
ing — but to the reader who is tracing the story of the rise 
and progress of Pittsburgh in such outline as is given in 
these pages, they are not over inviting. Hence a sketch of 
the pioneer days only is undertaken, supplemented with a 
comprehensible table or two. 

The first banking business of Pittsburgh was carried on 
in the office of Discount and Deposit which was established 
in a stone building erected in 1797 on Second street between 
Ferry and Chancery Lane as a branch of the Bank of Penn- 
sylvania. Previous to this, barter was the chief mode of 
exchange, as is to be seen in the early records of commercial 
transactions in the Gazette. On the twenty-second of 
March, 1803, the freeholders and other inhabitants of the 
Borough of Pittsburgh were requested to meet at the court 

[ 261 ] 



THE mSTOHY OF PITTSBURGH 

house on the twenty-sixth for the purpose of taking into 
consideration the proposal of the Directors of the Bank of 
Pennsylvania for the establishment of a branch here. The 
action taken was favorable, and on the sixteenth of Decem- 
ber it was announced that the Directors of the parent bank 
had elected the following directors for the branch: John 
Wilkins, Jr., Presley Neville, Oliver Ormsby, James 
O'Hara, James Berthoud, Ebenezer Denny, Joseph Barker, 
George Stevenson, John Woods, Thomas Baird, John John- 
son and George Robinson. Thomas Wilson was appointed 
cashier, and after his arrival the directors met and elected 
John Wilkins, Jr., President. Thomas Wilson came from 
Philadelphia with John Thaw who was to serve as teller. 
On January fourth, 1804, it was announced that the Office 
of Discount and Deposit would open its doors Monday, 
January ninth. The growth of this branch was steady; the 
government assisted by using it as a depository for public 
funds, $616,088.76 being on deposit January sixteenth, 1816. 
It ceased to exist two years later upon the suspension of the 
main bank. 

In the meantime other banks were established. The Bank 
of Pittsburgh was organized in 1810, and operated as a 
private institution, the Pittsburgh Manufacturing Com- 
pany, until 1814 when the State granted a charter under the 
style of the Bank of Pittsburgh. William Wilkins was the 
first President, being elected November twenty-eighth, 1814. 
Alexander Johnston, Jr., was its first cashier, and George 
Lucky, teller. It began business at the corner of Second 
avenue and Ferry street, and later moved to the corner of 
Third avenue and Market street; in 1838 the present loca- 
tion was acquired and the first Bank of Pittsburgh was 
erected. It was damaged by the fire of 1845, but was re- 
stored and occupied until 1894, when it was replaced by the 
present building. The original capital was $600,000; in- 
creased in 1862 to $1,200,000 ; in 1904 to $2,400,000, the latter 
increase being given to the shareholders of the Merchants' 
and Manufacturers' National Bank and the Iron City Na- 
tional Bank in exchange for their stock in those banks. 
These banks were absorbed by the Bank of Pittsburgh, 
N. A. and liquidated. This institution since its organiza- 

[ 262 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

tion has been a large factor in the prosperity of the district. 
Throughout the numerous financial panics that have visited 
the country this bank continued to make specie payments. 
During the panic of 1857 it was the only bank in the United 
States that met its liabilities of every kind in gold. It be- 
came a member of the National Association in 1899. 

The Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank was organized Au- 
gust second, 1814, with a capital of $450,000. John Scull of 
the Gazette was its first President, and George Lucky, 
cashier. 

In 1817 a branch of the Bank of the United States was 
established in Pittsburgh with Adamson Tannehill as Presi- 
dent, and George Poe, Jr., cashier. It was owing to the 
transfer of the government deposits from the Pittsburgh 
branch of the Bank of Pennsylvania that the former institu- 
tion was discontinued in 1818, and the latter, when it was 
found that the government was not likely to renew the char- 
ter of the parent bank. In 1836 the General Assembly of 
the State re-chartered it as a State bank, known as the 
Pennsylvania Bank of the United States. Upon the sus- 
pension of the parent bank, in 1841, the Pittsburgh bank was 
discontinued. 

Next came the City Bank in 1817. It made but one dis- 
count, then closed. The notes which it paid out were' re- 
deemed at the bookstore of its President, Robert Pat- 
terson. In 1822 the banking institution of Nathaniel 
Holmes was established. Subsequently it became N. Holmes 
and Sons, and in 1905 was merged into the Union National 
Bank. The Merchants ' and Manufacturers ' Bank was char- 
tered in 1833. Michael Tiernan was its first president, 
James Correy, cashier. Its first home was in the same stone 
building on Second street, which had been occupied by the 
Branch of the Bank of the United States. In 1834 their new 
building on Fourth street was occupied. In 1864 it was re- 
organized under the National Bank Law as the Merchants' 
and Manufacturers' National Bank, and the capital was 
increased to $800,000. In 1904 it was absorbed by the Bank 
of Pittsburgh, N. A. What is now the Farmers' Deposit 
Bank was incorporated in 1834 as the Pittsburgh Savings 
Fund Company with the stipulation that the capital should 

[ 263 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

not be less than $25,000 nor more than $200,000, which 
should at all times be liable to the demand of depositors. 
James Fulton was its first president, Reuben Miller, Jr., 
treasurer, and James Anderson, secretary. Its first loca- 
tion was on St. Clair (now Sixth) street. In 1841 it became 
the Farmers' Deposit Bank with Gabriel Adams as presi- 
dent and Thompson Bell, cashier. It was re-organized in 
1865 under the National Bank Law, with a capital of 
$300,000. In 1902 the capital was increased to $800,000. 
In 1903 the present building was occupied. 

The Exchange National Bank of Pittsburgh was organ- 
ized in 1836 as the Exchange Bank, with a capital of 
$1,000,000. Its first president was William Robinson, Jr.; 
cashier, John Foster, Jr. In 1865 it became a national bank 
and has since been known as the Exchange National Banl^. 
In 1841 the private banking houses of Cook & Cassat, E. Sib- 
bett & Co., Sibbett & Jones, and Allen Kramer were estab- 
lished, and in 1845 the banking house of Hill & Curry. From 
then until the early fifties several private banks of minor im- 
portance were started and, for one reason or another, were 
discontinued. In 1852 the First National Bank of Pittsburgh 
was founded as the Fifth Ward Savings Bank by James 
Laughlin and his associates, with Mr. Laughlin as president. 
They purchased the Pittsburgh Trust & Savings Company, 
and on July eighteenth, 1852, the Pittsburgh Trust Company 
was organized with a capital of $200,000. Mr. Laughlin was 
also president of the new institution. In 1863 they became, 
under the National Bank Law, the First National Bank of 
Pittsburgh with a capital of $400,000. Mr. Laughlin still 
remained president. In July, 1875, the capital was in- 
creased to $750,000 and in November, 1902, to $1,000,000. 
This bank is entitled to the distinction of being the first 
National Bank in the United States, having made the first 
application for a charter under the new law. Its original 
building was near the site of the present one at the corner 
of Wood street and Fifth avenue. Next came the Citizens' 
Bank in 1852, which later changed its name to the Citizens' 
Deposit Bank of Pittsburgh. It became a National Bank in 
1865, and in 1902 was purchased and liquidated by the Union 
Trust Company. The Mechanics' Bank was established in 

[ 264 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

1855 with a capital of $500,000. It became a National Bank 
in 1865 and was absorbed by the First National Bank in 
1902. The Dollar Savings Bank was organized in 1855 as the 
Pittsburgh Dollar Savings Institution, with George Albree 
as president. In 1858 it became the Dollar Savings Bank. It 
occupies the pleasing structure on the south side of Fourth 
avenue, between Wood street and Fifth avenue. The Alle- \i-A^-M'. 
gheny National Bank was established in 1857 as the Alle- 
gheny Bank, with a capital of $500,000. H. Hepburn was 
the first president and J. W. Cook, cashier. In 1864 it be- 
came a National Bank. The Iron City Bank was also 
granted a charter in 1857 and in 1864 was chartered as the 
Iron City National Bank. In 1904 it was absorbed by the 
Bank of Pittsburgh, N. A. The Pittsburgh Bank for^Sav- 
ings was organized in 1862 with a capital of $75,000. Its 
first president was James Park. The banking house of 
Robinson Brothers was established the following year. The 
Second National Bank, formerly the Iron City Trust Com- 
pany (organized in 1859), obtained a charter February 
thirteenth, 1864, with a capital of $300,000. In 1901 the 
capital was increased to $600,000. G. E. Warner was its 
first president and John E. Patterson, cashier. The Third 
National Bank was organized in 1863, with a capital of 
$300,000. Adam Eeineman was first president and Robert 
C. Schmertz, cashier. In 1864 the capital was increased to 
$400,000, and in 1867 to $500,000. The Fourth National 
Bank was organized in 1864, with a capital of $100,000, 
which was later increased to $300,000. James 'Conner 
was the first president and Allen Dunn, cashier. The Pitts- 
burgh National Bank of Commerce was organized in 1864, 
with a capital of $500,000, and in 1903 was absorbed by the 
Mellon National Bank. The Tradesmen's National Bank 
was organized in 1864, with a capital of $400,000. Alex- 
ander Bradley was its first president and George T. Van 
Doren, cashier. The People's National Bank was organized 
in 1864; capital, $1,000,000. The Duquesne National Bank 
was organized in 1867 as the Coal Men's Trust Company, 
changed to the Duquesne Bank in 1872; re-organized as a 
National Bank, with a capital of $200,000, 1875; the capital 
was increased to $500,000 in 1901. The first president was 

[ 265 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

W. G. Johnston and A, H. Patterson, cashier. The Lincoln 
National Bank, organized as the Masonic Deposit Savings 
Bank in 1868, with a capital of $200,000; re-organized as 
the Lincoln National Bank, April, 1893. Capital increased 
in July, 1902, to $600,000. The Diamond National Bank, 
organized as the Diamond Savings Bank in 1871 ; re-organ- 
ized as the Diamond National Bank in 1875, with a capital 
of $200,000. Capital increased to $500,000 in July, 1902. 
The City Deposit Bank, organized in 1866, as the City De- 
l^osit Bank and Trust Company. Its first president was Dr. 
John Q. Marchand ; cashier, E. A. Macrum. The Liberty Na- 
tional Bank, organized in 1890, with a capital of $200,000, 
with John H. McKelvey, president, and D. C. Kuhn, cashier. 
The Fidelity Title and Trust Company, organized in 1886, 
with William 0, H. Scully as the first president, and James 
T. Armstrong, secretary and treasurer. Its capital was in- 
creased to $2,000,000 in 1893. The National Bank of West- 
ern Pennsylvania, organized in 1893, with a capital of 
$300,000. First president, James Hemphill; cashier, 
Charles McKnight. In March, 1897, the capital was in- 
creased to $500,000. The Mellon National Bank, organized 
in 1869, as the private banking house of T. Mellon & Sons. 
In 1902 it became the Mellon National Bank with a paid-up 
capital of $2,000,000. In 1903 it absorbed the Pittsburgh 
National Bank of Commerce. The Union National Bank, 
organized as the Union Banking Company in 1859; re- 
organized as the Union National Bank in 1864. The first 
president was John R. McCune, and cashier, Robert S. 
Smith. Capital, $250,000. The People's Saving Bank, or- 
ganized 1866, capital $100,000. First president, Thomas 
Mellon; vice-president, William Rea; secretary and treas- 
urer, George M. Petty. In 1903 capital increased to $1,000,- 
000. The same year it was acquired by the Safe Deposit & 
Trust Company, which also owns and controls the People's 
National Bank. It occupies the splendid building at Fourth 
avenue and Wood street. The Union Trust Company, or- 
ganized in 1889, as the Union Transfer & Trust Company. 
First president, Andrew W. Mellon ; first treasurer, William 
A. Carr. In 1902 charter amended and name became Union 
Trust Company of Pittsburgh. Authorized capital, $250,- 

[ 266 ] 



THE MUNICIPALITY 

000, Began business in the Fidelity Title & Trust Company 
building. In 1894 moved into the old Oil Exchange build- 
ing. Building destroyed 1897 and company moved to 244 
Fourth avenue, and remained there until present building 
was erected in 1899. 1901 capital increased to $500,000; 
June, 1902, to $1,000,000; in December, 1902, to $1,500,000. 
This company controls several other banking institutions 
of the city. 

There are many banking institutions of prominence in 
Greater Pittsburgh, which space forbids mentioning. " At 
the close of the year, 1905, there were in this district 177 
chartered banks and trust companies of which 96 were 
located in Pittsburgh, 12 in Allegheny and 67 in the county 
outside these two districts. These institutions reported 
total resources of $558,855,724 and an increase of $38,500,- 
000 for the year, with an increase of $220,000,000 in the past 
four years. The capital stock of these 177 banks and trust 
companies amounts to $67,457,279, and the amount of divi- 
dends paid during the past year, $6,822,526, or about 10^. 
The surplus reported was $85,425,461, and the undivided 
profits a little more than $18,000,000. The total capital, 
surplus and undivided profits amounted to $170,000,000 and 
the dividends paid were approximately 4 per cent, of this 
sum. ' ' 

An idea of the business done in Pittsburgh may be gained 
from the total of the Clearing House exchanges for the year 
1905, which amounted to $2,506,069,215.96. 

The subjoined table shows the growth of banking institu- 
tions in Allegheny county for the past quarter of a century. 



[ 267 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 



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[ 268 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 



THE SCHOOLS 



Colonel Bouquet, when in charge of Fort Pitt, ordered 
in 1761, a numbering of the people in Pittsburgh ; according 
to this there were forty-eight children, and James Kenney, 
a storekeeper, recorded in his diary that the inhabitants 
hired a schoolmaster and paid him sixty pounds per annum, 
but there is no record of the length of his stay nor the 
quality of his service. There was, however, no schoolmaster 
when all the villagers were crowded into the fort during the 
siege of Pontiac, from May to August, 1763. Nor is there 
evidence of any attempt to school the children when tran- 
quillity was restored along the border in the early autumn 
of 1764. Year succeeded year, and, among the meagre 
records of the doings of men, there is no mention of their 
endeavor to educate the children. The sixties passed away, 
the seventies witnessed the bitter dispute between Pennsyl- 
vania and Virginia regarding the territory including Pitts- 
burgh ; but in the desperate throes of rending the new con- 
tinent from the old, this local issue lost its preeminence. 

The advantageous position of Pittsburgh, as a base of 
supplies, for the operations against Detroit and the lake 
country during the Eevolution, increased its importance, 
and this, in conjunction with other causes, brought about an 
increase in population, and there may have been other 
schools beside the one mentioned by James Kenney. The 
first vague trace of ' ' the old Pittsburgh Academy " is to be 
found in 1783, and the first definite information regarding 

[ 269 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

schools is in one of the articles by H. H. Brackenridge in the 
Gazette of September, 1786, in which he stated that ' ' one or 
two schools are established to teach the first elements, but it 
is greatly desirable that there be such which can conduct to 
more advancement in science. ' ' It was due to the individual 
and indefatigable efforts of Judge Brackenridge that the 
Pittsburgh Academy, the first educational institution of 
note in the town, was founded. 

Whether the " one or two schools," mentioned by Judge 
Brackenridge, taught the " first elements " to boys only, is 
not stated. The earliest indisputable record of a Pittsburgh 
school appeared in the Gazette of November tenth, 1786, 
listed in this fashion : 

*^ A Boarding and Day School for Young Ladies, 

Will be opened on Wednesday, the fifteenth instant, by Mrs. 
Pride, in the house where John Gibson formerly lived, be- 
hind his stone house, where there will be taught the follow- 
ing branches of needle-work, namely, plain work, colored 
work, flowering, lace, both by the bobin and the needle, 
fringing, Dresden, tabouring and embroidering. Also read- 
ing, English, and knitting if required. Mrs. Pride from the 
long experience she has had as a teacher and the liberal 
encouragement she has met with hitherto both in Britain 
and in Philadelphia flatters herself that by the utmost at- 
tention in teaching the said branches as also taking the 
strictest care to the morals and good breeding of the young 
ladies placed under her care that upon trial she will also 
merit the approbation and encouragement of the inhabitants 
on this side the Allegheny mountains." 

The next school advertised was for boys, kept by one 
Thomas Towsey, which he announced would be opened at 
the house of Mr. M 'Nickel on Front street, where he would 
teach ' ' the Latin language, reading English grammatically, 
writing, arithmetic, etc.," and in a nota bene declared " an 
ev^T^ing school is also to be kept in the same house." This 
notice appeared in the Pittsburgh Gazette, January fifth, 
1788. 

In the meantime the "Academy " was chartered and 

[ 270 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

flourished, but the newspapers have many advertisements 
of other schools, which must have received some patronage; 
among others: " N. C. Visinier respectfully returns his 
thanks to the persons who have employed him as French 
teacher since he has been in this place." But there seems 
to have been an objection to his prices and he further says 
that he will reduce his charge " from ten dollars to six for 
such as will attend his lodging and eight dollars for those 
he may attend at their home." This was in the autumn of 
1798. 

And it was indicated in Mr, McDonald's advertisement 
that the young men were even then beginning those long 
working hours which have made the city what it has be- 
come: 

** Evening Tuition. 

** For the convenience and advantage of such as cannot 
attend to instructions in the public day school, Mr. Mc- 
Donald, by desire, proposes opening an evening school, in 
which will be taught Arithmetic, in its various applications 
to business or the Sciences, bookkeeping, mensuration and 
geography, writing in its several sizes and proportions, the 
English language correctly and grammatically. 

*' It is expected the tuition will commence on Monday 
evening, the 15th of October inst. Applications will be re- 
ceived at Mr. Jonathan Plummer's, or at Mr. McDonald's 
school room. 

'' Pittsburgh Gazette, October twelve, 1798." 

The outcome of many of the educational notices, which 
appeared during the next few years, is a mere matter of 
conjecture, but one signed by John Taylor, the Rector of 
the Episcopal Church — always called the ' ' Old Round 
Church " — is curiously interesting. 

' ' The subscriber takes the liberty of informing the public 
that he intends to open a 

Night School 

on Wednesday, the 14th of October next, in one of the 
rooms of the Academy, where he means to teach writing, 

[ 271 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

arithmetic and geometry. Any person who has made a 
tolerable proficiency in mathematicks, if his curiosity 
prompts him, may, in the course of one quarter, learn the 
whole process of making an Almanack. 

'' John Taylor. 
" September twenty-nine, 1801. 



>> 



Mr. Robert Steele, who later took charge of the Pres- 
byterian congregation, opened a school January, 1803. 
The youth of the town, in the beginning of the century were 
in good hands, for these men, with others perhaps, of lesser 
ability about them unquestionably left their mark in the 
general upraising of the educational standards of that time. 
The following is Mr. Steele 's announcement : 

*' Education. 

*' The subscriber, being about to leave the Pittsburgh 
Academy, intends to open a school in his house in Second 
street, on the 5th of January next, for the reception of a 
limited number of pupils, to be instructed in the Latin and 
Greek languages, writing, arithmetic, elements of geometry, 
geography, etc. He will have frequent examinations, con- 
sidering them best calculated to bring into operation two 
powerful incentives to application, the love of praise, and 
the dread of disgrace. On such occasions the attendance of 
parents, guardians and men of education will be requested. 
He looks for no patronage but that to which his attention 
to the improvement of his pupils in literature and morals 
will entitle him. 

' ' Tuition in Latin and Greek $4.00 a quarter. 

^' Robert Steele. 

" December twenty-three, 1802." 

*' E. Carr opened a school for children of both sexes in 
January, 1803," and endeavored " to merit every favor 
conferred on him." Mr. Carr was evidently successful for, 
in the following year, he removed to larger quarters over 
the genial Chevalier Dubac's store in Market street, where 
he assured the parents of the children entrusted to his care, 

[ 272 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

that the utmost attention will be paid to their education and 
morals. Mr. Carr continued to succeed for, in March, 1808, 
he opened a boarding school for young men. 

In April, 1818, he removed his school to Third street, 
between Wood and Smithfield streets, where he taught the 
* ' usual branches, ' ' and where Mrs. Carr instructed ' ' young 
ladies, in a separate room, the usual branches and all kinds 
of needle-work." This is the last notice of Mr. Carr's 
school, but surely, though the written record stops here, it 
may be his influence is still potent in the sons' sons of the 
community. 

William Jones opened a school in May of 1804, where the 
primary branches were taught at two dollars per quarter. 

Throughout these early years of the century the news- 
papers contained three or four advertisements a year of 
schools. The tuition generally demanded for the plain 
branches was two dollars per quarter, and French was often 
offered as an extra. On February twenty-fourth, 1808, the 
following insert appeared: 

" Samuel Kingston respectfully informs the inhabitants 
of Pittsburgh that he will open a school on the 6th of April 
next, in a room of Mrs. Irvin's house, corner of Market 
St. and the Diamond, where he will teach reading, writing, 
arithmetic, book-keeping, English grammar, geography, 
mensuration, trigonometry and navigation on the most ap- 
proved plans. Also he runs a Night school." 

In 1811 Mr. Kingston's school was in a stone house on 
Second street. 

On September thirtieth, 1811, J. Graham announced his 
intention to open a select school over the store of Mr. 
Thomas Alger, in Market street, but perhaps Mr. Graham 
was delayed, as " J. Graham takes the liberty to acquaint 
his friends, that he opened school, on the 1st of April, 1812, 
in the stone house, Second St., formerly occupied by Mr. 
Kingston. Pupils will be educated in the several branches 
of an English and classical education upon moderate terms. 
Those who wish to call upon Mr. G. will find him at any 
time within school hours, in his school room as above. Mrs. 
Graham will also, at the same time, open a school in adjoin- 
ing room for the tuition of young ladies, who shall be in- 
i8 [ 273 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

structed in all things requisite to an English education, and 
a complete knowledge of needle-work." 

The theory of female education at this time is interesting, 
perhaps, even amusing to the learned women of to-day. 
Mr. Thomas Hunt started the first school in the surumer of 
1811, '' designed for the instruction of females exclusively." 
The hours of attendance in summer were from 8 to 12 
A. M., and from 2 to 5 P. M.; in the winter from 9 to 12 
A. M., and from 2 to 5 P. M. Terms of tuition for spelling 
and reading, three dollars per quarter; for writing, arith- 
metic and English grammar, four dollars per quarter. But 
the newspapers bear testimony that in female education 
during this period, the various kinds of needle-work are 
dwelt upon as paramount, and, almost as an after-thought^ 
reading, writing, and arithmetic are included '' if neces- 
sary. ' ' 

Aquilla M. Bolton, a man prominent in the general affairs 
of the town, established an academy for a limited number of 
young ladies. 

Another quaint advertisement in the Gazette was: 
'' Messrs. Chute and Noyes' Evening School commences 
the first of October next. They also propose on Sabbath 
morning the 22nd instant to open a Sunday morning school 
to commence at the hour of eight A. M. and continue until 
ten. They propose to divide the males and females into 
separate departments. The design of the school is to in- 
struct those who wish to attend the Catechism and hear 
them read the Holy Scriptures. No pecuniary compensa- 
tion is desired, a consciousness of doing good will be an 
ample reward." 

John C. Brevost commenced teaching French in this 
locality in 1812, and in 1814 Mrs. and Miss Brevost pro- 
posed to open a boarding and day school: '' For young 
ladies, Mrs. and Miss Brevost have the honor to inform 
the public that they intend opening a school in Pittsburgh 
on the 3rd day of October next. Where shall be taught on 
the following terms : 

" Reading, Writing, Arithmetic. 

'' English Grammar, History. 

" Geography, with the use of maps and globes, etc., 
$8 quarterly. 

[ 274 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

'^ Playing on the piano, $10 quarterly. 

'* Vocal Music, $5 quarterly. 

'' The Drawing and Painting of flowers, $6 quarterly. 

^' And the French Language, $5 quarterly. 

" Boarding, $37.50. 

*' Every quarter to be paid in advance by boarders. 
Dancing, books, materials for writing, drawing, sewing, 
etc., washing, bed and bedding to be paid for separately, 
or provided by the parents. Verbal applications will be 
thankfully received after the 20th of September in their 
house in Second street and by letters directed to John C. 
Brevost. 

" Pittsburgh, August twentieth, 1814." 

The advance in the tuition over the earlier rates is 
startling, though this may have been due to the general in- 
crease in prices owing to the war. 

Mrs. Gazzam removed her seminary to the house formerly 
occupied by Philip Mowry on Fifth street. The young 
ladies were instructed in the elementary branches and 
needle-work at four dollars per quarter. They were taught 
to cut, make, and repair their own clothes; were permitted 
to visit their parents once a week, but were allowed to 
receive no young men visitors, unless attended by a servant. 
The terms of boarding were one hundred and twenty-five 
dollars per annum. 

Miss Anna and Arabella Watts respectfully informed 
the public that they would instruct young ladies in the 
various branches of fancy and needle-work, and hoped by 
their experience and attention to meet a share of public 
patronage. 

Throughout these years, school advertisements run on in 
about the same number, and there is offered about the same 
degree of instruction. But in October, 1815, John Board- 
man announced his design to open a school in Pittsburgh at 
three dollars per quarter, on the Lancasterian plan, which 
was at that time popular in many of the Eastern cities. 
The old Lancasterian system offered such a royal road to 
learning, and was indorsed by such eminent men, that a 
prospectus may be of interest: 

[ 275 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

" Lancastekian System of Education. 

' * We have the pleasure of informing the public that they 
have it now in their power to avail themselves of the ad- 
vantages of a Lancasterian school in this town. Mr. Babe 
who has taught in one of the most celebrated Lancasterian 
seminaries in Europe proposes to open such a school here 
on the 1st of January provided a sufficient number of pupils 
can be obtained. When the facts are duly considered by 
parents, that one master can teach 500 children; that each 
of those children may have 16 times as much exercise in 
reading as 100 with one teacher on the old plan; that in 
four hours every child in the school of 500 in number, may 
have four lessons of half an hour each and have four hours 
more for exercise in writing and arithmetic, and that a 
child may, upon the Lancasterian plan be taught as much in 
two years as would require five years in the ordinary way, 
the advantages are too obvious to be overlooked or disre- 
garded, and moreover when the practicability of the system 
has been so completely and so satisfactorily tested both in 
Europe and America, we certainly conceive ourselves justi- 
fied in recommending it to the attention of our readers. In 
an economical point of view this system strongly recom- 
mends itself to the public attention. The teaching of 500 
scholars in the ordinary way costs $16.00 per scholar an- 
nually, making a total of $8,000, whilst on the Lancasterian 
plan the salary of one teacher with fuel and a person to 
attend the fires, etc., would be the only expense for 500 
scholars, making a saving in one year of twice as much as 
would erect a suitable building for the system and a saving 
in point of time to the scholars, of three years out of every 
five. On the old system the expense exceeds the means of 
the laboring poor; nothing therefore remains to them but 
charity schools, a gratuity which that independence of senti- 
ment possessed of every American can hardly suffer him to 
accept, nor should this sentiment be suppressed; it is the 
stamina of the liberties of the country; the basis of its 
glory. Every step by which the acquirement of useful 
knowledge can be facilitated ought to command the coun- 
tenance and patronage of the citizens of a free country; 

[ 276 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

the stability of whose republican institutions depend so 
much upon the intelligence of the great body of the people, 
and to the general diffusion of knowledge in political econ- 
omy, we may look for the permanent establishment of our 
popular government. Where a free government has been 
established it is the interest, it is the duty of the people, to 
watch over it, with a jealous eye, and prevent its being 
sapped or undermined by artful or designing men. And is 
it among the uninformed, illiterate men we are to look for 
those vigilant guardians of the public weal? No. As well 
might we look for integrity among robbers, and public 
virtues among the kings of the earth. No. It is among an 
instructed people, a people who know and can appreciate 
their own rights; a people who understand the difference 
between a government conducted on the pure principles of 
public utility and that which loses sight of the public interest 
engulfing itself in the private emolument of the venal crew 
who exercise its functions. Among an enlightened and in- 
telligent people only can we expect to find the faithful and 
effectual guardians of a free government. 

" Subscription papers are left with the Rev. Francis 
Herron, Rev. John Taylor, John M. Snowden, Mr. Andrew 
Scott and at this office." — Pittsburgh Gazette, December 
second, 1817. 

Despite the fact that this system was given a thorough 
trial throughout the country, it proved utterly ineffectual, 
but Mr. Boardman in the autumn of 1817, had a school for 
boys, which was quite successful. 

The proprietors of ' ' Harmonic ' ' established a seminary 
for young ladies in the fall of 1818. Among the gentlemen 
who served as trustees were James Ross, Henry Baldwin, 
William Wilkins and Walter Forward, of Pittsburgh, and 
men of equal eminence from the surrounding towns. This 
school was of excellent service to the community. The 
terms, including boarding, washing, books, stationery and 
tuition, were one hundred and fifty dollars. 

The Rev. Joseph Stockton, at one time principal of the 
Pittsburgh Academy, conducted a school on the north side 
of the Allegheny bridge for a select number of scholars in 
the spring of 1820. 

[ 277 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

There are living, even now, a few of the charming women 
who were educated by Miss M. Oliver at the Edgeworth 
Boarding School, Braddocksfield, near Pittsburgh, in the 
house built by Judge Wallace in 1804. 

Miss Oliver made the following elaborate notice so ap- 
propriate in those days : 

" Edgew^orth Ladies' Boarding School, November first, 
1831. 

" Braddocksfield, near Pittsburgh, will recommence its 
engagements the first Monday of November next. The in- 
creased approbation given to this institution cannot fail to 
produce a corresponding zeal and energy and a desire to 
secure the good opinions of many, as many additions have 
been made for the convenience and well doing of the pupils. 
Edgeworth Seminary has been now of several years ' stand- 
ing, and experience enables it to offer rather an increase 
than dimunition of means to give satisfaction. To study, 
coercive means are not employed, reference is made to the 
heart as well as the head, and the study of every branch, 
and the proportion of time given to it will be subservient 
and tributary to useful and moral and religious improve- 
ment. Sabbath day engagements must not be interrupted 
unnecessarily. Pupils living at a distance, or from any 
cause disposed to make Braddocksfield, during the vacation, 
their home, are invited to do so and no additional charge is 
made. 

' ' Terms : Tuition in English branches — reading, writ- 
ing, arithmetic, grammar, composition, geography, astron- 
omy, with the use of globes, natural philosophy, chemistry, 
history; also plain and ornamental needle work. Per an- 
num $130. Tuition in music, $40; drawing, crayon, pencil 
and water colors, $24 ; in oil painting, $40 ; French, $20. 

'' M. Oliver." 

This school was afterwards removed to Sewickley and 
continued to flourish until about 1868. 

The first notice of the *' Western Female Collegiate In- 
stitution," which continued many years and played an im- 
portant part, appeared in the Pittsburgli Gazette, October 

[ 278 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

second, 1832. It was located on Erin Hill, one mile east of 
the city of Pittsburgh. 

'' The design of the Institute is to impart a thorough 
knowledge of all solid branches of female education, and 
having engaged teachers of learning and experience, the 
president hopes to fulfill the design. The expense of board 
and tuition in the Institute will vary according to the 
branches taught, from one hundred and twenty to two hun- 
dred dollars, per annum. 

" Dr. Aikiii teaches natural science. If you want a good 
practical mathematician, one of the best botanists in Amer- 
ica, an experimental chemist and a very superior geologist, 
mineralogist, and zoologist, you have it in him. Dr. William 
Aikin. 

^' On the twenty-second ultimo, we attended the first ex- 
amination of the students, and deem it an act of justice to 
give the public a responsible assurance of the promise of 
this new Seminary. The young ladies were examined in 
rhetoric, moral, mental and natural philosophy, criticism. 
Belle Lettres, geography, and the use of the globes, arith- 
metic, the French language, and other studies essential to a 
polite and finished education. In all, great readiness and 
proficiency were exhibited; indeed, we know of no advan- 
tage desirable in an institute of this kind, which this does 
not seem to possess. 

'' George Upfold, D. D., James S. Craft, 

" T. B. Dallas, Nathaniel Richardson, 

'' J. R. M'Nickle, Charles Shaler, 

'* William Wade, Orlando Metcalf, 

'' Edward Y. Buchanan, John A. Davis." 

The Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny, was 
founded in 1825. 

'* The General Assembly taking into consideration the 
numerous and rapidly increasing population of that part of 
the United States and their Territories situated in the great 
Mississippi Valley, and believing that the interests of the 
Presbyterian Church imperiously required it, and that the 
Redeemer's kingdom would thereby be promoted, resolved 
that it was expedient to establish a Theological Seminary 

[ 279 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

in tlie West, under the supervision of the General Assem- 
bly." 

Such was the action taken by this body in 1825. The 
urgent need of an institution in the west for the prepara-^ 
tion of young men for the ministry had been presented for 
its consideration and the response was hearty and imme- 
diate. Two days later a name was selected for the institu- 
tion, its line of work defined, its plan, or construction was 
substantially determined, and the Rev. Messrs. Francis Her- 
ron, Obadiah Jennings, Matthew Brown, Samuel Ralston, 
Ashbel Green, Elisha P. Swift, Elisha McCurdy, William 
Speer, Thomas Barr, William Jeffries, Robert M. Laid, 
Robert Johnston, Thomas E. Hughes, Charles S. Beatty, 
Joseph Stockton, Joseph Treat, Randolph Stone, Andrew 
Wylie, Thomas D. Baird, James Graham, Francis McFar- 
land, and Elders Matthew B. Lowrie, John Hannen, John 
M. Snowden, Samuel Thompson, George Hummer, Ben- 
jamin Williams, Aaron Kerr, Reddick McKee and Thomas 
Henry, were chosen the first Board of Directors. In 1827 
the Assembly took further action, locating the institution 
at Allegheny, or "Allegheny town, opposite Pittsburgh," 
as the site was then described, and making due provision 
for the commencement of its work. In the autumn of this 
year its first class was formed and its educational work 
properly begun. 

The choice, as the history of the institution has shown,> 
was wisely made. The seminary in course of time ceased, 
indeed, to be western in the strict sense of the term; but 
became central to one of the most important and influential 
sections of the Presbyterian Church, equally accessible to 
the east and west, ranking perhaps next to the Theological 
Department of Princeton University. In the midst of this 
city of over half a million of people, the center of strong 
Presbyterian Churches and church life, the students have 
unlimited opportunities of gaining familiarity with the work 
of city evangelization. 

The Seminary was destroyed by fire in 1854, but was re- 
built in 1856. There are now three buildings, the Seminary 
Hall, Memorial Hall and the Library; also five dwellings 
for the professors. Memorial Hall is the bequest of Mrs. 

[ 280 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

Hetty Beatty. Fifty-two scholarships have been founded, 
and though funds have many times been scanty, the Semi- 
nary has met with much generous treatment. The first 
class met November sixteenth, 1827, and consisted of four 
students; there are about seventy students for the years 
1905-1906. 

The following professors have served the institution : 

Rev. Jacob Jones Janeway. D, D., Prof, of Theology, 
1828-1829 ; died 1858. 

Rev. Luther Halsey, D. D., LL.D., Prof, of Theology, 
1829-1836 ; Prof, of Ecclesiastical History and Church Gov- 
ernment, 1836-1844; lecturer on Practical Theology, 1872- 
1877; Prof. Emeritus, 1877-1880; died 1880. 

Rev. John Williamson Nevin, D. D., Prof, of Oriental and 
Biblical Literature, 1829-1840; died 1886. 

Rev. David Elliott, D. D., LL. D., Prof, of Theology, 1836- 
1854; Prof, of Pastoral Theology, 1854-1874; died 1874. 

Rev. Lewis Warner Green, D. D., Prof, of Oriental and 
Biblical Literature, 1840-1847 ; died 1863. 

Rev. Alexander Taggart McGill, D. D., LL. D., Prof, of 
Ecclesiastical History and Church Government, 1842-1854; 
died 1889. 

Rev. M. W. Jacobus, D. D., LL. D., Prof, of Oriental and 
Biblical Literature, 1851-1876; died 1876. 

Rev. W. S. Plummer, D. D., LL. D., Prof, of Theology, 
1854-1862; died 1880. 

Rev. S. J. Wilson, D. D., LL. D., Prof, of Biblical and 
Ecclesiastical Historv, 1854-1883; died 1883. 

Rev. W. M. Paxton, D. D., LL. D., Prof, of Sacred 
Rhetoric, 1860-1872; died . 

Rev. A. A. Hodge, D. D., LL. D., Prof, of Theology, 1864- 
1887; died 1887. 

Rev. W. H. Hornblower, D. D., Prof, of Sacred Rhetoric, 
1871-1883; died 1883. 

Rev. S. T. Lowria D. D., LL. D., Prof, of New Testament, 
Literature, 1874-1877. 

Rev. W^. H. Jeffers, D. D., LL. D., Prof, of Church His- 
torv, 1877-1893. 

Rev. S. H. Kellogg, D. D., Prof, of Theology, 1877-1886; 
died 1899. 

[ 281 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Rev. B. B. Warfield, D. D., Prof, of New Testament 
Literature and Exegesis, 1878-1886. 

Rev. R. D. Wilson, Pii. D., D. D., Prof, of Hebrew and 
Old Testament Literature, 1884-1900. 

Rev. H. T. McClelland, D. D., Prof, of Theology, 1886- 
1899. 

The Rev. Thomas H. Robinson, D. D., is the much beloved 
Professor Emeritus of Pastoral Theology, Church Govern- 
ment and The Sacraments. 

Rev. David Gregg, D. D., LL. D., is the present President 
of the faculty. 

The Allegheny Theological Seminary of the United Pres- 
byterian Church was founded in the year 1825. It was in- 
corporated under the laws of Pennsylvania in 1830. The 
financial interests of the institution are administered by a 
board of nine trustees, the scholastic by a board of thirty- 
six directors, nine of whom are chosen by each of four 
synods which share jointly in the control of the Seminary. 
One of the most complete and commodious seminary build- 
ings in the country was erected on North avenue in 1899. 
There are four professors at the present time: Dr. James 
A. Grier, president, Drs. D. A. McClenahan, John Me- 
Naugher and John A. Wilson. One or two additional pro- 
fessors are to be added in the near future. The greater 
part of the ministers of the denomination are educated in 
this institution. There are at the present time fifty-four 
students in attendance. Three terms of eight months each 
constitute the course of study required for graduation. 
Some students from other denominations and other coun- 
tries are commonly in attendance. Scholarships are offered 
in connection with each department of the Seminary course. 

The following are a few of the more distinguished 
graduates of this " School of the Prophets: " Wilson 
Blain (1835), a pioneer missionary to Oregon. Dr. David 
R. Kerr (1837), long time editor of the United Pfeshyterian, 
and professor in the Seminary. Dr. Alexander Young 
Q839), a man of remarkable culture and a phenomenal fund 
of information. Dr. Robert Audley Browne (1840), the 
chivalrous and beloved chaplain of the celebrated Round- 
head regiment. Dr. John G. Brown (1842), the founder of 

[ 282 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

the Western Pennsylvania Institution for the Deaf and 
Dumb. Dr. D. A. Wallace (1850), the founder and first 
President of Monmouth College. Dr. W. J. Reid (1858), 
late editor of the United Presbyterian. Dr. Andrew Wat- 
son (1859), missionary to Egypt, and author of a history 
of that successful mission. Dr. Robert Gracey Ferguson 
(1862), for many years the honored and successful Presi- 
dent of Westminster College. 

The Theological Seminary of the Reformed Presbyterian 
Church is located on North avenue, Allegheny. Some Re- 
formed Presbyterians or Covenanters were exiled from 
Scotland during the persecutions by the House of Stuart in 
the Seventeenth century. Many of them afterwards 
migrated to America, and there were Covenanters among 
the early settlers of Western Pennsylvania. Rev. Dr. John 
Black was the first pastor of those located in and about 
Pittsburgh, and was ordained December 18, 1800. He died 
in Pittsburgh, October 25, 1849. 

After the denominational Division of 1833, Rev. Dr. 
Thomas Sproull became pastor of the Old School Cove- 
nanter Congregation, and was ordained in 1833. He died 
in Allegheny, March 21, 1892. 

The early location of the Theological Seminary was in 
Philadelphia in the year 1810, Rev. Dr. Samuel B. Wylie 
being in charge. After the Division, the Old School branch 
created a Seminary for its candidates for the ministry. 
Rev. Dr. Sproull was chosen a Professor of Theology in 
Allegheny in 1838, resigning this position in 1845. He was 
re-elected in 1856 and was in connection with the Seminary 
from that date till his death in 1892. He was born in West- 
moreland county in 1803, and graduated in 1829 from the 
Western University. 

Rev. Dr. James M. Willson, long a pastor in Philadelphia, 
was chosen a Professor of Theology in 1858, and died ir5 
Allegheny, August 31, 1866. Rev. Dr. James R. Sloane be- 
came a Professor in 1868, being called from a pastorate in 
New York, where he had been prominent as an Anti-Slavery 
leader. He died in Allegheny, March 6, 1886. His oldest 
son is Professor W. M. Sloane, the historian, of Columbia 
University. Rev. Dr. David B. Willson, then pastor in 

[ 283 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Allegheny, was, in 1875, chosen a Professor of Theology, 
and is still in service as the senior Professor, Rev. Dr. 
John K. McClurkin was chosen a Professor of Theology in 
1887. He resigned in 1891, and is now pastor of the Shady- 
side United Presbyterian congregation. Rev. Dr. Robert 
J. George, long a pastor at Beaver Falls, Pa., was elected 
a Professor of Theology in 1892, and is still in this position. 
Among the graduates of this Allegheny institution may 
be named : Rev. Dr. W. P. Johnston, president of Geneva 
CoHege, Beaver Falls, Pa., class of 1862. Rev. Dr. David 
McAllister, pastor of the Eighth street church in this city, 
class of 1863. Rev. Dr. J. W. Sproull, pastor of the Central 
church, Allegheny, class of 1863. Prof. James R. Newell, 
the founder of the Newell Institute of this city, class of 
;l 866. Rev. Dr. David Gregg, now President of the Western 
Theological Seminary, Allegheny, and formerly pastor in 
Brooklyn, class of 1869. Rev. Samuel R. Galbraith, a for- 
eign missionary, who died at Beirut, Syria, in 1872. Rev. 
Dr. Daniel C. Martin, now pastor of the Highland avenue 
Reformed Presbyterian congregation. Rev. Dr. John 
Lynd, now Professor of Theology in the Reformed Presby- 
terian Seminary, Belfast, class of 1873. Rev. Henry Eas- 
son, long a missionary in Syria, was sent out in 1873, not 
completing the course. He is retired, residing at Beaver 
Falls. Among the gradutes since that date, we may name : 
Rev. Dr. R. C. Wylie, pastor at Wilkinsburgh, treasurer of 
the National Reform Association. Prof. George Kennedy, 
of Geneva College, class of 1878. Rev. Dr. W. J. Coleman, 
a pastor in Allegheny, class of 1879. Rev. W. W. 
Carothers, missionary in the Indian Territory, class of 
1883 Rev. Dr. John F. Carson, a pastor in Brooklyn, class 
of 1885. Rev. Dr. Henry W. Temple, professor in Wash- 
ington and Jefferson College, class of 1887. Rev. James S. 
Stewart, a missionary to Syria, class of 1888. Rev. R. J. 
Dodds, a missionary in Asia Minor, class of 1890. Rev. 
J. B. Dodds, formerly a missionary in Syria, now a pastor 
in Kansas. Rev. A. I. Robb, a missionary to China, class 
of 1894. Rev. J. K. Robb, a missionary to China, class of 
1899. Rev. J. A. Kempf, a missionarj^ to China, class of 
1903. 

[ 284 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

Prominent among the schools for girls was the Pitts- 
burgh Female College, incorporated in February, 1854. 
This was a sectarian institution under the control of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and was prominent as a school 
for about fifty years. 

The Bishop Bowman Institute was established by the 
Rector of St. Peter's Protestant Episcopal Church, the Rev. 
Dr. Van Dusen, in 1862, and for many years was a large and 
flourishing school under the charge of Dr. and Mrs. Coster, 
but it, too, has been superseded by other preparatory 
schools within the last five years. 

In 1869 the Pennsylvania Female College was established 
by the leading members of the Presbyterian Church in 
Shadyside. The Rev. Mr. Beatty, Mr. David Aiken and Mr. 
John A. Renshaw were the prime movers. A beautiful 
situation was purchased for this school, thirty thousand 
dollars raised and a suitable building erected. The school 
was essentially Presbyterian and had great support from 
the Presbyterian churches and members of the community. 
Miss Helen Pelletreau served for years as president of the 
college. She did a great deal to build up the school, and 
the warm affection of many women of Pittsburgh to-day is 
extended to her, because of her unselfish endeavor in their 
behalf in the Pennsylvania College for Women as it came 
to be known. Miss Pelletreau was succeeded by Miss Jane 
Devore, who left no stone unturned to raise the general 
standard of the school to meet the demand of its name, 
college. She, however, served only a few years, and was 
succeeded by the Rev. Dr. Henry Martin. Very lately the 
school has been relieved of all further financial embarrass- 
ment by the raising of three hundred thousand dollars to 
pay off the mortgage and to create an endowment fund. 
The credit of this is due to Mr. Oliver McClintock and Mr. 
William Rea, Rev. J. K. McClurkin, D. D., and Mrs. Charles 
H. Spencer. 

A characteristic institution, and one very essential in such 
a community as this, was the one established by Peter Duff, 
in 1840, called '' Duff's Mercantile College," where pen- 
manship, bookkeeping, mathematics, commercial science and 
commercial law, typewriting and stenography were taught. 
This useful institution continues to this day. 

[ 285 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

In 1855 the Iron City Commercial College was incor- 
porated by one Mr. Miller and his brother. It has carried 
on, down to the present time, those branches of learning 
which go to make a successful commercial college. 

A Normal Training School for Teachers, known as Curry 
University, was founded in 1869. Previous to this, in 1855, 
Professor Curry had, in association with B. M. Kerr, con- 
ducted several small normal schools in the country. 

Charles Avery accomplished the founding of a training 
school for colored children in 1849. This school, from a 
small beginning, has continued to grow slowly, and to 
furnish that manual training to the colored youth of the 
city which has not been offered by the general public 
schools. 

The Pittsburgh School of Desig-n for Women was opened 
in February, 1865, in the Phelan Building, 24 Fifth street. 
The object of the school, as announced in the newspapers of 
the day, was ' ' the systematic training of young ladies in the 
practice of art and in the knowledge of its scientific prin- 
ciples with the view of qualifying them to impart to others 
a careful art education. ' ' The fee for the Elementary Class 
was ten dollars ; the Exceptional Class, twenty-five dollars ; 
Landscape Class, in oil, twenty-five dollars; Figure Class, 
in oil, twenty-five dollars. The original faculty was com- 
posed of Mary G. Grieg, Head Teacher ; P. W. Broadwood, 
Margaret D. Cowley, Trevor M'Clurg, George Hatzell, Dr. 
James King, Lecturer on Artistic Anatomy, and Dr. W. C. 
Reiter, Lecturer on the General Principles of Natural 
Science and Elementary Botany. The school has been con- 
ducted throughout its entire existence along these lines and 
has continued to progress and holds to-day a prominent 
position in the community. 

The Art Students' League of to-day, with its numerous 
classes and large attendance, is also filling a certain need in 
the community. 

The author of this volume, from 1869 until 1890, was the 
head of a girls' school that still makes many of the women 
of Pittsburgh dear to her as remembered pupils. 

The preparatory schools of Pittsburgh are now numerous, 
and the present ideal facilities permit a thoroughness that 

[ 286 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

was unknown even twenty years ago. The most important 
are the Allegheny Preparatory School, the Park Institute, 
the Shadyside Academy, the Alinda School, the Thurston 
Preparatory School, the East Liberty Academy, and the 
Pittsburgh Academy. To many of these preparatory 
schools the eastern colleges send examiners for college 
entrance examinations. 

The Old Academy. 

The Legislature of Pennsylvania, on the twenty-eighth of 
February, 1787, passed an act to establish an " Academy 
or Public School, ' ' in the town of Pittsburgh ; declaring that 
the education of youth ought to be the primary object with 
every government. And as any ' ' school or college yet estab- 
lished is greatly distant from the country west of the Alle- 
gheny mountains, whereas the town of Pittsburgh is most 
central to that settlement and accommodation for students 
can be most conveniently obtained in that town. ' ' Accord- 
ingly it was enacted " that there be erected in Pittsburgh, 
in the county of Westmoreland an academy or school for the 
education of the youth in the useful arts, sciences and 
literature, the style, name and title of Avhich shall be the 
Pittsburgh Academy. And be it further enacted by the 
authority aforesaid that the following persons, namely, the 
Rev. Samuel Barr, Rev. James Findley, Rev. James Powers, 
Rev. John McMillan, Rev. Jos. Smith and the Rev. Matthew 
Henderson; General John Gibson, Colonels Presley 
Neville, William Butler, Stephen Bayard; James Ross, 
David Bradford, Robert Galbraith, George Thompson, 
George Walker, Edward Cook, John Moore, William 
Todd, Alex. Fowler, Esqs., Drs. Nathaniel Bedford and 
Thos. Parker shall be the Trustees of the said School." 

And it was further enacted that the board of trustees 
shall consist of twenty-one members, seven of whom shall 
be a " board or quorum, having all the powers to manage 
the concerns of such a corporation," and *' persons of every 
denomination of Christians shall be capable of being elected 
Trustees. 

' * Signed by Order of the House, 

'^ Thomas Mifflin, Speaker.'* 

[ 287 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

This beneficent institution and the patronage therefor 
were obtained mainly through the efforts of Judge H. H. 
Brackenridge. The Legislature, in addition, granted for its 
use or revenue, five thousand acres of unseated lands west of 
the Allegheny and Ohio rivers. Judge Brackenridge also 
secured for the academy a square, in what was then known 
as '' Ewaltsfield," from John Penn and John Penn, Jr. 
This square was the land now bounded by Second and 
Third avenues, Cherry alley and Smithfield street. Several 
newspaper notices are extant which request the trustees to 
meet at the house of Mr. David Duncan. The first of these 
is dated February 21st, and appears in the Gazette of 
March first, 1788, a year after the charter was granted. Un- 
til this time the meetings had evidently been few and far be- 
tween, and the fact that these notices bore no signature of a 
secretary until months later, is significant of the difficulties 
met with in the organization of the board and in rendering 
available the land revenue granted by the State. However, 
progress was made; in the autumn of the same year, 
Robert Galbraith acted as the first secretary to the trustees, 
and it was shortly after the second annual meeting of the 
board of trustees, which was held at Mr. Galbraith 's house, 
on the 18th day of March, 1789, that there is record of the 
engagement of George Welch as principal, ^' and that he 
will soon commence his instructions at Pittsburgh, on Mon- 
day the 13th of April, instant." Mr. Galbraith also added 
to this announcement that " those who may wish to have 
their children instructed in the learned languages, English 
and the Mathematicks are invited to improve the present 
opportunity. ' ' 

When the lack of interest in this educational movement is 
weighed, and the difficulties in obtaining sufficient funds 
from the State grant to provide a suitable building are 
considered, great credit will be found due to the first board 
of trustees for accomplishing the task of establishing the 
Academy in so short a time. 

The academy during the next few years had various prin- 
cipals. The Rev. Dr. McMillan for a short time. Rev 
Robert Patterson, both prominent Presbyterian clergymen, 
and the Rev. Mr. Taylor, pastor of the Old Round Church, 

[ 288 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

whose successor, in 1801, was Rev. Mr. Steele, another Pres- 
byterian. A notice which appeared in the Gazette, January, 
1801, sums up the educational situation in Pittsburgh with 
regard to the academy at that time: 

'' The present establishment and future prospects of 
more extensive usefulness of the Pittsburgh Academy, so 
well situated for the benefit of the general western country, 
must be highly pleasing to all who feel the value of the 
education of youth. 

'* The Trustees, anxiously disposed to promote the 
growth, prosperity and usefulness of the Academy, have 
engaged two masters (one of them a respectable clergy- 
man) of education, character, skill and experience, who 
teach the Greek and Latin languages, mathematics, reading 
and writing. 

' ' They have also appointed three inspectors to have a su- 
perintendence of the school, and take care of the tuition 
money to be collected and paid to the treasurer. The 
amount of the tuition money is incompetent to pay the 
salaries of the Masters, and for this purpose, besides the 
aid of the interest on money lent on security, occasional 
advances are necessary. 

' ' Those who send scholars to the Academy are especially 
admonished of the necessity of regular quarterly payments. 
Bills of the tuition money then due will be sent out to each, 
by the Principal, or First Master, of the School, on the 1st 
of January, April, July and October, and it is expected that 
inmiediate payment will then be made to the Treasurer. 

" It is proper to remark, for the information of those who 
live at a distance, who may wish to avail themselves of the 
benefits of this institution, that, from the present moderate 
prices in the Pittsburgh market, boarding is considerably 
reduced below the high rates which the former market 
prices rendered necessary. There are now in this Borough 
more or better chances for good and cheap boarding, than 
can be found elsewhere. January, 1801." 

Colonel Presley Neville, then acting as secretary, called 
a special meeting of the trustees on August nineteenth, 
1801, to take into consideration the propriety of engaging a 
writing master. 

19 [ 289 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

In the early summer of 1803 the trustees of the Academ\^ 
had the singular good fortune to engage a Mr. Hopkins, 
who had already taught in the College of Princeton, to take 
direction of the Academy. The notice further elaborates 
that from the ^ ' correctness of Mr. Hopkins ' education, and 
from his habits of teaching acquired in one of the first 
schools of the Continent, there is every reason to believe 
that parents who may send their children to this Seminary 
for instruction will not be disappointed. The school will 
open on the first day of July; the Latin and Greek lan- 
guages only will be taught for the present. Such scholars 
as are to attend had better be punctual on that day, as Mr. 
Hopkins will be the better enabled to arrange the 
classes." 

This was but the beginning of Mr. Hopkins' long and ben- 
eficial career in Pittsburgh. In August, Colonel Neville 
called a special meeting at Mr. Ferree's tavern '' for the 
purpose of making some arrangement of the funds of the 
institution providing for the payment of some expenses, and 
taking into consideration the propriety of making an addi- 
tion to the building." The Academy under the supervision 
of Mr. Hopkins progressed with such rapidity that in the 
course of the following spring the pupils gave an exhibition. 
The newspaper gives rather a glowing account: 

'^ Last week the students of the Pittsburgh Academy 
underwent examination in the presence of the Trustees; 
and, on Friday evening, at the Court House, they delivered 
orations, and had dramatic performance embracing a great 
variety of characters ; and spoke several dialogues on dif- 
ferent subjects. 

'' This is the first public performance of our young 
students. There was a crowded audience, and the most 
lively interest was visible in their relatives and acquaint- 
ances who attended. The exhibition far exceeded expecta- 
tions. Many of the boys were not more than 12 years of 
age, some under 10; all, however, appeared to possess a 
correct idea of the parts assigned to them; their gestures 
gave appropriate effect to the sense; their pronunciation, 
manners and deportment were highly commended. 

'' In the course of the evening, different and opposite 

[ 290 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

characters were well sustained by the same persons, who 
judiciously assumed and displayed the spirit of the passions 
they were called to represent. In no instance did careless- 
ness or dismay prevent the complete execution of the duty 
allotted to the speakers. 

' ' The whole scene gave most pleasing proof of the value 
of Mr. Hopkins in this institution. His instructions extend, 
not only to the useful, but to the ornamental articles of 
education. 

"Witnessing, as we have, the successful efforts of Mr. Hop- 
kins to inspire his scholars with a noble emulation to excel, 
we cannot refrain from expressing the wish that the Trus- 
tees would provide scenery and conditions more suitable for 
the encouragement of the career that has begun. From 
their liberality, we flatter ourselves that there will be a 
continuance of these exercises which have so happy a 
tendency to stimulate exertion, to call forth latent genius 
and to polish the manners of those engaged in the acquisi- 
tion of liberal learning. April twenty-seventh, 1804." 

Mr. Hopkins, meantime, having studied law, gave over the 
charge of the Pittsburgh Academy, in 1809, to Rev. Joseph 
Stockton, who became principal, and was presently assisted 
by Mr. Robert Bruce. The hands of these excellent 
gentlemen were always upheld by a board of vigilant 
inspectors. 

In 1811 the trustees were short-sighted enough to let slip 
from their hold some very valuable property. This is of 
course said without reproach, as the needs of the day were 
paramount. Their offer appeared in the Gazette of April 
eighteenth, 1811: 

" The Trustees of the Pittsburgh Academy, offer on per- 
petual ground rent, two hundred and forty feet front on 
Second street, extending from Smithfield and Cherry alley, 
and ninety feet front on Smithfield extending from Third 
street to a ten-foot alley. A plan of the lots, and the terms 
are left with James Morrison in Wood street. 

" John Woods, 
" John Wilkins, 
** Isaac Craig, 

" Managers/' 
[ 291 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Despite financial difficulties and the inevitable inertia, 
bound to prevail, at times, in so small a place, regarding 
educational matters, the curriculum of 1817 included in 
addition to the elementary branches and higher mathe- 
matics, Hebrew, Greek, Latin and French, Indeed, so far 
had the Academy prospered, that the Legislature was peti- 
tioned " by a respectable number of the inhabitants," and 
by the trustees of the Pittsburgh Academy, in a memorial 
representing that institution, " though in a respectable 
state of improvement as inadequate to the accommodation 
and complete education of the students at present attending 
that Seminary and have expressed their desire that an 
University should be established in their vicinity; and that: 
the funds of the Academy may be transferred for the use oi 
such University." 

The boys names on the list of the old Academy fromi 
1789-1820, though it is not a complete one, is keenly inter- 
esting, for they became, almost without exception, men of [ 
eminent benefit to the community : 

Presley Neville, "William Robinson, William Wilkins,, 
James M. Vunlan, Edward J. Roberts, Samuel Roberts,, 
William O'Hara, George Ross, Steele Semple, Neville B., 
Craig, James W. Biddle, John Willock, George Wallace,, 
Charles Wallace, John S. Riddle, John F. Wrenshall, Johm 
P. Bakewell, Harry Stevenson, Wilson Darragh, John De- 
clary, D. Stockton, D. R. McNair, Scull, Joseph P.', 

Gazzam, Charles Wilkins, Morgan Neville, H. M. Bracken- 
ridge, Ross Wilkins, John S. Irwin, John McClintocky, 

George Shiras, George Sutton, William Kerr, 

Adams, James R. Butler, William Addison, Fred Ernest^j 
Samuel Johnson, Reese Jones, Jr., William McClurg, Alex- 
ander McCandless, Magee, Bedford Mowrey, Horatiss 

, — Boggs, Andley Gazzam, Thomas Bairdjlj 

Samuel Jones, William F. Irwin, Millen Gregg, Williamcj 
Church, Thomas Collins, Robert Watson, Harmer Denny,^ 
William Denny, Butler Barker, John R, Davis, Charlesi 
Ernest, Benjamin Evans, George Holdship, James RI 
Lambdin, Michael Stackhouse, Henry Stephenson, Frank! 
Stevenson, Sidney Mountain, George Watson, James Willsj 
George Bayard, Casper Brunot, James Brunot, Duncan 
Walker, R. J. Walker. 

[ 292 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 



The Western University. 



On February eighteenth, 1819, Governor William Finley 
signed the charter of " The Western University of Penn- 
sylvania " to be established near the town of Allegheny ; to 
be under the direction of twenty-six trustees. They were 
James Ross, George Stevenson, Francis Herron, Joseph 
Stockton, Robert Bruce, John Black, John Scull, John M. 
Snowden, William Wilkins, George Evans, Morgan Neville, 
Henry Baldwin, George Poe, Jr., Walter Forward, John 
Darrah, Samuel Roberts, Ebenezer Denny, Peter Mowry, 
of the city of Pittsburgh; William Robinson, Jr., of the 
town of Allegheny ; John McPherron, John Gilmore, of But- 
ler county ; John Young, James Postlewaith, John Reed, of 
Westmoreland county; Robert Moore and James Allison, 
of Beaver county. 

And it was further enacted by the authority of the afore- 
said ' ' that forty acres of the vacant lands belonging to the 
commonwealth bounded by or joining the outer lots of the 
town of Allegheny, be and they are hereby granted to the 
trustees of the Western University of Pennsylvania upon 
which the University shall be erected. ' ' 

But the land designated was used by the citizens of Alle- 
gheny for pasturing their cows, and they vigorously op- 
posed the gift; and, after a delay of seven years, the Su- 
preme Court, in 1826, handed down a verdict denying the 
land to the University. Thereupon, the Legislature appro- 
priated twenty-four hundred dollars annually, for the en- 
suing five years, to the institution. With this, and twelve 
thousand dollars received from the State, the first Uni- 
versity building was completed in 1830, on the corner of 
Third avenue and Cherry alley. 

Meantime, in the spring of 1820, the buildings of the 
Pittsburgh Academy were repaired and given over to the 
new University, and arrangements were made with the Rev. 
Robert Bruce and Rev. John Black '^ for teaching Hebrew, 
Greek, Latin, the several branches of mathematics; geog- 
raphy, ancient and modem, including the use of globes; 
Belles-Lettres, Logic, and Natural and Moral Philosophy." 

The first faculty of the Western University was not in- 

[ 293 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

stalled until May tenth, 1822. The first principal was Rev. 
Robert Bruce, assisted by Professors John Black, Elisha P. 
Swift, Joseph MoElroy, and C. B. Mai^niire, all of them 
ministers earing for various congregations. Dr. Bruce 
continued to be the principal until 1842, with the intermis- 
sion of the year 1835, during which Rev. Gilbert Morgan 
officiated. When Dr. Bruce retired, having served the com- 
munity faithfully and honorably in the high capacity of the 
inspirer and trainer of its youth, the Rev. Herman Dyer 
became principal, and the University was reorganized. In 
addition to the English and Classical Preparatory School, 
and the usual collegiate department, a law school was now 
added and Hon. Walter H. Lowrie appointed professor; 
the trustees endeavoring to make it an actual University, 
and an institution of benefit to the whole western country. 

In 1845 occurred Pittsburgh's calamitous fire, in which 
the University building, so highly prized by the citizens as 
an ornament, was consumed. This, of course, was dis- 
astrous as even the records perished with it, but the trustees 
met this with the same brave implacableness that was the 
marked characteristic of the spirit governing the town at 
that time. The property on Third street was disposed of, 
and a site purchased on Duquesne Way, which was dedi- 
cated September eighth, 1846. During the interim, the work 
of the University was not suspended, but great complacence 
was felt on taking possession of the capacious new building. 
The faculty at that time consisted of: 

Rev. Herman Dyer, D. D., Principal and Professor of 
Moral and Intellectual Philosophy. 

Lemuel Stevens, A. M., Professor of Mathematics, 
Natural Philosophy and Chemistry. 

James Thompson, A. M., Professor of Ancient Lan- 
guages. 

Vacant — Professor of Rhetoric and Belles Lettres. 

Hon. Walter H. Lowrie, Professor of Law. 

James R. Lambdin, Esq., Professor of the Arts of Design. 

Albert Eggars, M. D., Professor of Modern Languages. 

Assisted by a Committee on Education, acting as Counsel 
to the Faculty, and charged with the public examination 
of students. 

[ 294 ] 








I t 



ii '^ 



It I* 





THE SCHOOLS 

Rev, George Upfold, D. D., Ex-officio Chairman. 

Rev. David H. Kiddle, D. D. 

Rev. Andrew W. Black. 

Rev. William Preston. 

Hon. Harmar Denny. 

The pleasure, however, in the new building was short 
lived, for it, too, was burned in 1849. This was indeed a 
disaster, as the trustees, discouraged, dismissed the faculty 
and students, and the days for the University were dark. The 
property on Duquesne Way was sold which, with the insur- 
ance money, amounted to about fifteen thousand dollars. In 
1854, a lot on the corner of Ross and Diamond streets was 
procured and the third W^estern University built. This was 
due mainly to the efforts of Mr. John Harper, then treas- 
urer of the board of trustees. The building consisted of 
fourteen recitation rooms, as well as a laboratory and 
library. In 1855, on the completion of the building. Dr. 
J. F. McClaren was made president. The entire income of 
the University was, at this time, from the tuition fees, 
which, in the preparatory classes, were eighteen dollars per 
term, and in the scientific and collegiate, twenty-five dollars, 
with French and drawing as extras. 

The financial difficulties were harassing, and, when, in 
1858, Dr. George Woods succeeded Dr. McClaren, he in- 
sisted that an endowment was necessary and could be pro- 
cured. Mr. William Thaw met this necessity by subscribing 
one hundred thousand dollars, on condition that the cities of 
Pittsburgh and Allegheny should give a like sum. The 
municipalities made good their share, and the University 
was at last equipped with an endowment. But the number 
of graduates during these years was pitiably small. Be- 
tween 1855-1864 there were only three, after that there was 
a small number each year. But in the memorable years 
between * * 61 and 65, ' ' the big boys had no time for school ; 
they were either doing men's work at the front or taking 
their places at home. In accordance with the spirit of the 
times, a military drill was instituted, and continued for 
years. This was at first conducted by an officer of the Regu- 
lar Army, detailed by the government. In 1863, the Scien- 
tific school was founded, from which a Bachelor degree 

[ 295 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBURGH 

could be obtained. In 1866, the managers of the Alle- 
gheny Observatory decided to transfer its property to 
the Western University, consisting of ten acres of land, 
a large new dwelling house, the Observatory edifice, to- 
gether with the fourteen-inch object glass telescope, the 
third instrument of its kind in the country. The sole con- 
dition of this transfer being thirty thousand dollars with 
which to endow a chair of Astronomy in the University. 
Again Mr. Thaw came forward with the necessary money. 

The catalogue for the year ending June, 1866, announced 
the number of students to be two hundred and sixty-six; 
Collegiate, twenty-seven; Scientific, fourteen; Preparatory 
Classical, eighty-five; Preparatory English, one hundred 
and thirty-one, and Commercial, nine. In 1875 Mr. Charles 
Avery bequeathed to the University the sum of twenty-five 
thousand dollars, and Mr. Thaw endowed the chair of 
Chemistry. The University now prospered. 

For twenty-one years Dr. Woods administered the affairs 
of the University, from the dark days of " 58 " to the 
security of ' ' 79, " when he retired, and in 1880, Dr. Henry 
M. McCracken was appointed to succeed him. 

In 1882 the Court House on Grant street was burned, and 
the county purchased the University building for temporary 
use. The University took quarters in the United Presby- 
terian and the Reformed Presbyterian Seminary, in Alle- 
gheny, until they should have their own home again on the 
land donated by the Allegheny Observatory. Dr. M. B. 
Goff succeeded Dr. McCracken, in 1884, and meantime the 
building of the new University was in progress. Mr. Thaw 
bequeathed another one hundred thousand dollars, and in 
1890, on the death of Dr. Goff, Dr. William J. Holland was 
appointed to succeed him as Chancellor in 1891 and served 
until 1901. Dr. Holland was succeeded by Dr. Brashear, 
who consented to serve only temporarily. He held the 
office from 1902 to 1905, and was succeeded by Dr. Mc- 
Cormick, under whose guidance the University will un- 
doubtedly grow. 

The School of Mines and Mining Engineering was added 
to the University in 1895. The control of this school, 
according to an Act of Legislature, was vested in the trus- 

[ 296 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

tees and faculty of the Western University of Pennsyl- 
vania, the Governor, the Secretary of Internal Affairs and 
the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Professor 
Reginald A. Fessenden has been a great factor in the build- 
ing up of the popularity of this department of the Univer- 
sity. 

The union between the "Western University and the West- 
ern Pennsylvania Medical College was consummated on the 
first of June, 1892. The Western Pennsylvania Medical 
College had been a stock corporation consisting of two hun- 
dred and fifty shares of stock, at the par value of one 
hundred dollars each, and the stockholders were : J. Chris. 
Lange, William Wallace, J. A. Lippincott, James McCann, 
James B. Murdoch, J. D. Thomas, C. Emmerling, E. A. 
Wood, Thomas D. Davis, William J. Asdale, Whitmore 
Snively, R. S. Sutton, W. H. Daly, T. J. Gallagher, James 
G. Connell, Samuel Ayers, J. C. Dunn, C. B. King, Hugo 
Blanck. According to the terms of the union, however, the 
University was compelled to acquire the ownership of the 
stock. The Medical College as a department of the Uni- 
versity, in conjunction with the Reineman Hospital and the 
Kaufman Clinic, has extended its usefulness. 

The Pittsburgh Law School became a department of the 
Western University on the third of October, 1895. Judge 
John D. Shaf er was Dean ; Hon. Samuel S. Mehard, Thomas 
Harriott, William H. McClurg, Clarence Burleigh and 
Thomas Patterson, instructors. James C. Gray and Wil- 
liam W. Smith, lecturers. 

The Pittsburgh College of Pharmacy became affiliated 
with the University on the sixteenth day of April, 1896, and 
the Pittsburgh Dental College, which was incorporated on 
the twenty-ninth day of April, 1874, became a part of the 
University on April sixteenth, 1896. 

Allegheny Observatory. 

The story of the Allegheny Observatory is full of interest 
from the work that has been done there, but when told by 
Dr. John A. Brashear it becomes peculiarly dear to all 
Pittsburghers, for there is no man in the community so 

[ 297 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

deeply loved and respected as this man. No one has done 
more for the uplifting of the ideals of Pittsburgh than John 
A. Brashear, because he has lived his theories : 

" On the evening of February 15, 1859, three citizens of 
this city and Pittsburgh met at the office of Professor Brad- 
ley to consider the purchase of the telescope, ' the magnify- 
ing power of which would bring the heavenly bodies near 
enough to be viewed with greater interest and satisfaction. ' 
These three citizens were Professor Lewis Bradley, Josiah 
King and Harvey Childs. After some conversation upon 
the subject it was decided to request other gentlemen to 
meet with them. The next meeting was held on the even- 
ing of Washington's Birthday, February 22, 1859. At this 
meeting, ' after further conversation, it was proposed to 
place the telescope upon a housetop in the central part of 
Allegheny.' (So far as can be learned the house selected 
was on the southeast corner of Park way, then called Water 
street as it was nearest the canal, and Federal street.) 
However, at a subsequent meeting, it was decided to aban- 
don the idea of placing it upon a housetop in the center of 
the city and a committee was appointed to select a more 
suitable site. Three sites were proposed by this committee 
— one on Seminary hill, one on Quarry hill and a site on the 
west end of Seminary hill, owned by Judge Irwin. At this 
time and for long afterward the association was known as 
the 'Allegheny Telescope Association,' and it is a matter of 
great interest to us to know of the men who were the prime 
movers in this pioneer astronomical association, for at that 
time in our history there were very few astronomical ob- 
servatories of any note in the United States. I find on this 
roll of honor the names of Hon. Thomas M. Howe, R. S. 
Hays, William J. Bissel, John A. Wilson, Josiah King, Ed- 
ward Rahm, John Dean, William Baggaley, H. Hepburn, 
William Thaw, David McCandless, Christian Yeager, Wash- 
ington McClintock, Robert Dalzell, Thomas Bakewell, R. B. 
Sterling, Prof. Lewis Bradley, Henry Irwin, Felix R. 
Brunot, James Park, Jr., C. G. Hussey, James Marshall, 
David Campbell, G. W. Cass, Henry Bollman, John S. 
Shoenberger, General Robinson, Mr. O'Hara, James M. 
Cooper, William Morrison, Samuel Gormley. 

[ 298 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

' ' So far as I can learn all of these grand men have passed 
away from earth, but they have left an honored name, names 
to grace the roll of honor of any community. Many other 
citizens joined the association shortly after these names 
were recorded in the minute book. 

'' The committee on site had some negotiations with the 
city with reference to a location on Seminary Hill, a lease 
of which was offered to the association for an annual rental 
of $60 per year, but about that time Mr, Ferguson and Mr. 
McClintock offered, free of cost, a large part of the plot of 
ground on which the observatory now stands, and an addi- 
tional piece was purchased from Mr. Ashworth, making in 
all a tract of over ten acres, on what was then perhaps as 
fine a location for an observatory as could be found near the 
city, as the prevailing winds carried the smoke away from 
it, thus insuring good observations in its earlier history. 

^' So successful was the association in raising funds for 
the proposed observatory that it was decided to purchase a 
13-inch telescope instead of an 8-inch, as originally pro- 
posed, and on motion of Mr. William Thaw it was decided 
to instruct a committee to make arrangements for the pur- 
chase of an instrument from Mr. Fitz, of New York, who had 
only a short time before completed a similar instrument for 
Dudley observatory at Albany, N. Y. 

*' This committee, consisting of Mr. Josiah King, Hon. 
Thomas M. Howe and Dr. C. G. Hussey, requested Prof. 
Bradley to go to New York and make arrangements for the 
telescope of 13-inch aperture, to be mounted equatorially 
and placed in the observatory when completed. Prof. Brad- 
ley 's report was of such a satisfactory character that the 
proposal of Mr. Fitz, made on January 17, 1860, was ac- 
cepted at the meeting of the board, held January 31. 

'' The complete organization of the association did not 
take place until May 15, 1860, when the constitution and by- 
laws were reported and adopted and a board of directors 
elected. The members constituting the board were : Hon. 
Thomas M. Howe, Dr. C. G. Hussey, Mr. William Thaw, 
Mr. Josiah King and Mr. John H. Shoenberger. Dr. C. G. 
Hussey was elected president of the board and Mr. James 
Park, Jr., secretary. The act of incorporation by the legis- 

[ 299 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

lature of Pennsylvania was approved by Governor Packer 
on March 22, 1860. 

" At this epoch in the history of the observatory there is 
some discrepancy in the dates, as the architects' plans were 
accepted and approved about May eighth, just a week before 
the election of the board of directors. Messrs. Barr & 
Moser were the architects. The contract for the building 
was awarded to several parties, Mr. J. S. Knox building the 
stonework and Messrs. Smith & Bungy the carpenter work. 

" Mr. Fitz's work on the great telescope, its completion 
and the reports of the tests by Dr. Lewis Rutherford and 
Dr. Brunnow make up a most interesting part of the history 
during this period of the development of the observatory 
and its equipment, all of which is recorded in the minute 
book of the association. Suffice it to say that the obser- 
vatory was completed and the telescope erected between the 
first of November, 1860, and the end of January, 1861. 

' ' On August eighth, 1867, the names of Prof. S. P. Lang- 
ley and Prof. James Thompson were placed before the 
Board of Trustees soliciting an appointment to the chair of 
Astronomy and Physics. Prof. Langley was unanimously 
elected to the chair. 

" From this time onward the institution took its place 
among the working observatories of the world. It would be 
impossible within the limits of this paper to tell you more 
than a moiety of the splendid observations and discoveries 
made by Prof. Langley and his able assistants. The long- 
series of solar observations, for which this region is so well 
suited, gave to the world new views of the sun and its sur- 
roundings, and the series of magnificent drawings of sun 
spots made by Profs. Langley, Frost, Keeler and Mr. Very 
are now considered classic and invaluable in our studies of 
solar phenomena. 

^' In 1890 Professor Langley was called to the highest 
position of any scientific institution in the land, the Smith- 
sonian Institution in Washington, D. C, to fill a chair that 
had been occupied by Henry and Baird, where, amidst his 
many duties, he still found the time to carry on his bolo- 
metric and aerodromic researches. Professor Langley con- 
tributed fifty-four papers to scientific journals during his 
directorate of the observatory. 

[ 300 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

'^ Professors Frost, Hall, Very, and Keeler had been 
associated with Professor Langley during his stay at the 
observatory, all of whom made for themselves an honored 
record. Professor Frost now occupies the position of Pro- 
fessor of Physics in the Western University, and Professor 
Very accepted a position at Ladd Observatory of Brown 
University. 

' ' Professor Keeler, after spending a year studying with 
Helmboltz and Quinke, in Germany, returned to the ob- 
servatory, where he further assisted Professor Langley in 
his researches of the selective absorption of solar energy 
and other problems of scientific value. 

'' In May, 1891, Professor Keeler was unanimously 
elected to the Directorship of the Allegheny Observatory, 
a position he at once accepted. When Professor Keeler 
came to Allegheny he found the observatory poorly 
equipped for the line of investigation he desired to pursue 
as a continuation of his work at Lick Observatory, but 
friends of the institution and Professor Keeler soon fur- 
nished the means. Mrs. William Thaw contributed the 
money to construct a spectroscope of the highest type, 
which was designed by Professor Keeler. Mr. William 
Thaw, Jr., supplied the means for a new driving clock and 
the remounting of the 13-inch equatorial, while the Junta 
club, of Pittsburgh, generously donated a sum sufficient to 
place a modern shutter on the dome. Thus equipped. Pro- 
fessor Keeler commenced a series of researches by which, 
in the years he was with us, some of the most brilliant dis- 
coveries ever made in astronomical science were added to 
those he had already given to the world. 

' ' It would be impossible in the limits of this paper to tell 
you of the splendid achievements in the domain of Astro- 
physics of our departed friend, for since this new temple 
of the skies began to rise from its foundation his spirit 
has taken its flight to dwell among the stars he loved so 
fondly. 

" Before Professor Keeler left us he had made a care- 
fully prepared plan for a new observatory. Professor 
Wadsworth at once took a deep interest in working out 
the details of the proposed new building and its instru- 

[ 301 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

ments, and after spending the best part of a year on the 
plans, he has given to us, to the most minute detail, a build- 
ing in which the science of Astro-physics can be studied 
as never before. A building, large as it is, of which every 
nook and corner is suited to carrying out some problem in 
the new astronomy of which there are vast fields yet un- 
explored, and in which our new director, let us hope, may 
reap a harvest of discovery as yet undreamed of. Professor 
Wadsworth came to us as Professor Keeler's first choice. 
He has already made many important researches in the 
realm of Astro-physics. He labored day and night for 
the success of the new observatory, and we only trust that 
with his indomitable will and energy he will not pass the 
elastic limit and break down ere his work is finished. 

" Our architect, Mr. T. E. Billquist, has put many hours 
of faithful work into the development of the exterior beauty 
and completeness of the building throughout, and we trust 
when it is finished it will be an honor to him and his craft, 
and, may I add, that if the remainder of the observatory is 
constructed by the contractors with the same fidelity and 
good workmanship that has characterized the work already 
done, we shall have a building that will stand for cen- 
turies." 

The new building, the corner stone of which was laid 
October twentieth, 1900, with every elaborate ceremony, 
has been finished, at a cost between two hundred and 
fifty and three hundred thousand dollars. By the desire of 
Dr. Brashear and with the permission of Mrs. Keeler, the 
ashes of James E. Keeler lie in the crypt under the dome, 
so that the new observatory, that is in such great part due 
to his genius, is his tomb. 

It is, however, the work of Dr. Brashear himself that has 
made the Allegheny Observatory known the world over. 
He has made discoveries and invented apparatus that have 
astonished the entire scientific world, and the demand for 
his delicate astronomical and physical instruments far ex- 
ceeds the supply. He is recognized as one of the leading 
astronomers and authorities in Astro-physics of the world, 
but every Pittsburgher feels that he is his especial '' star- 
finder. ' ' 

[ 302 ] 




- ■ ,X " ALLEGHENY OBSERVATOEY, RIVERVIEW PARK, ALLEGHENY. 



THE SCHOOLS 

The gifts for the new building and the instruments have 
been most liberal and there is to be a new 30-inch reflecting 
telescope. This also is to be a memorial to Professor 
Keeler. Dr. Frank Schlesinger, from the Yerkes Observa- 
tory, is the present director. 

Carnegie Technicai. Schools. 

Perhaps the two most practical of all Andrew Car- 
negie's gifts to Pittsburgh are those of two million dol- 
lars to endow a school which should embody a scheme 
of secondary technical education for both sexes, and one 
million five hundred thousand dollars for the erection 
of suitable buildings for the same. The city purchased 
thirty-two acres of ground opposite the Phipps Conserva- 
tory for the campus, at a cost of three hundred and fifty 
thousand dollars. The buildings were erected by Palmer 
and Hornbostel, of New York, with the idea of permitting 
numerous additions, hence the style of architecture. 

In the organization of this school or schools, the govern- 
ing board, assisted by able committees of educators, gave 
extensive study and consideration to their future develop- 
ment, and, upon their recommendations, a carefully worked 
out plan and scope were adopted. Four subdivisions were 
recommended : 

I. School of Applied Science (for young men). 
II. School of Apprentices and Journeymen (for young 
men). 

III. School of Applied Design (for both sexes). 

IV. Technical School for Women. 

The aim of the schools is to become a university, in the 
most liberal interpretation of the term, for specialization in 
art, science, and industry of a secondary grade, including 
all that is best in the existing schools of the world, with a 
scheme of instruction balanced between the elementary 
courses of the grammar schools and the engineering courses 
of the great universities, without trespassing on the general 
courses of the high schools or the manual training which 
is included in the courses of high and grammer schools. 

The first school to open was the School of Applied 
Sciences, October sixteenth, 1905, with a curriculum which 

[ 303 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

included mathematics, drawing, physics, chemistry, strength 
of materials, and English, during the first year. There 
are both day and evening schools, and the tuition fee is 
entirely nominal, being twenty dollars per year for resi- 
dents of Pittsburgh and thirty dollars for all others, and 
for the evening schools, five dollars per year for residents 
of Pittsburgh and seven dollars for all others. Mr. Hamer- 
schlag, of New York, was elected director by the board of 
trustees in 1903. Out of six thousand applicants at the 
opening of the school, seven hundred and seventy-three 
were admitted. Previous to the regular opening of the 
School of Applied Science, beginning in April, 1904, there 
were delivered during the year, one hundred and one lec- 
tures by eminent professors, in the various library build- 
ings of the city. These schools promise to be the most 
thoroughly practical of all Pittsburgh's educational insti- 
tutions, and to redound bounteously to the credit of the 
already much famed Andrew Carnegie. 

The Common Schools. 

William Penn, in the '' Frame " of government for the 
Province of Pennsylvania, signed April twenty-fifth, 1682, 
in the twelfth section provided, " that the governor and 
provincial council shall erect and order all public schools 
and encourage and reward the authors of useful sciences 
and laudable invention in the said provinces." But the 
governors and provincial councilors, who administered the 
affairs of Pennsylvania under the instructions contained 
in the " Frame " of Willian Penn, were so occupied with 
the struggle for life which was being made against the 
savages, and for maintaining her territorial rights against 
the encroachments of sister States, that consideration of 
the Twelfth section was not reached until Pennsylvania 
had become a State of the Union in 1790. The State Con- 
stitution contained this paragraph: '' The legislature, as 
soon as conveniently may be, shall provide by law for 
the establishment of schools throughout the State in such 
manner that the poor may be taught gratis. ' ' Though the 
material civilization of the community progressed rapidly, 

[ 304 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

nineteen years elapsed before the legislators found it ' ' con- 
venient " or perhaps possible to attend to the matter of 
schools. 

The Pennsylvania Act of 1809, (analogous to an Act 
pased by Massachusetts in 1642) ordered the township 
assessors to report annually to the county commissioners 
the names of the children in each of their several districts 
whose parents were unable to pay school tuition. These 
children were to be permitted the privilege of attending the 
nearest private school and the bills were to be paid by the 
county. This did not become a popular measure, as the 
children of the indigent were quickly denominated ' ' county 
scholars " by the pay scholars, and many of the parents 
preferred to let their children go without education rather 
than accept the glaring charity of the State, which seems 
to have carried much the same obliquity that attends the 
charity offered by the poor-house of to-day. There are no 
printed records of the money expended by the State under 
the Act of 1809, and if records were kept of the expenditure 
in Allegheny county, they perished when the Court House 
was burned. The records kept of the county of Phila- 
delphia, however, show the annual expenditure there to 
have been a little over twenty thousand dollars, and the 
number of " county scholars " each year to have been 
about nineteen hundred. 

The need for free schools was so obtrusively obvious that 
a number of the benevolent women of Pittsburgh, in the 
summer of 1816, did all in their power to meet the difficulty 
by instituting " The Adelphi Free School." The object of 
this school was the '' gratuitous instruction of poor female 
children in reading, writing, arithmatic, sewing and knit- 
ting. " And though the duties of the management were 
multifarious, the seventh article of the constitution of the 
society declared, ^' it shall be the duty of the managers to 
assist in instructing the pupils ; and they shall each attend 
a week, in alphabetical rotation, in the morning, and when 
found necessary in the afternoon." The report at the end 
of the first year of this school was encouraging. Donations, 
subscriptions, and interest amounted to six hundred and 
twenty-seven dollars and twenty-six and one-half cents. In 
20 [ 305 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

the course of the year, one hundred and twenty-six children 
had been received into the school with an average attend- 
ance of fifty. One small feminine prodigy of nine years is 
reported to have '' committed to memory the Mother's and 
Shorter Catechisms beside twenty-five hymns and ten chap- 
ters or Psalms from the Bible; " this, presumably, in addi- 
tion to ' ' reading, writing, arithmetic, sewing and knitting. ' ' 
It is further said that ' ' the most flattering improvement is 
manifested in the habits and manners of the pupils; and 
in some of them reformation from the vices, lying, swearing, 
fighting and stealing." 

The Adelphi Free School was in no sense a public or 
common school. It served, however, to indicate the atti- 
tude of the thinking class and to illustrate at least one 
effort that was made in Pittsburgh to fill the pressing need 
felt for public schools, the Act of 1809, to educate the poor 
gratis, being so obnoxious as to be wholly inoperative in 
many counties. It was, however, impossible to procure 
effective legislation. 

In 1828 was instituted ^' The Pennsylvania Society for 
the Promotion of Common Schools," the first report of 
which has been preserved in Hazards' Register of Pennsyl- 
vania, Volume I, 1828. The society was extremely zealous 
in its work and did much to crystallize the general public 
feeling which finally brought about the institution of Com- 
mon Schools. 

Governor George Wolf, in his inaugural address, made 
Tuesday, December fifteenth, 1829, said, " I would call the 
attention of that portion of my fellow citizens who compose 
the legislative branch of government, to one or two topics, 
the first of which, it seems to me, no executive magistrate 
can abstain from pressing on the attention of the legisla- 
ture, without being justly chargeable with a culpable neglect 
of duty; I mean that clause of the constitution which en- 
joins that " the legislature shall as soon as conveniently 
may be, provide by law for the establishment of schools 
throughout the State, in such manner that the poor may be 
taught gratis," an injunction which I trust no statesman 
will disregard or philanthropist treat with neglect. This 
call has been so frequently made by the eminent statesmen 

[ 306 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

who have preceded me in the executive department of this 
government, that I fear a repetition of it now will be con- 
sidered as forming a subject too stale and hackneyed to be 
productive of any beneficial effects; but as some of those 
calls have heretofore produced favorable results, may I 
not be permitted to indulge the hope that the enlightened 
body I am now addressing, will turn their attention to the 
injunction itself as being one, which considering the high 
source from which it emanated, is entitled to their unquali- 
fied deference and respect." 

At last it seemed decreed that the common schools were 
to come. Governor Wolf offered a scheme in his speech 
made January fourteenth, 1830, by which the money could 
be obtained : 

'' I would suggest therefore, for the consideration and 
the serious deliberation of the Legislature, the propriety of 
providing by law that the commissioners of several counties 
within this Commonwealth, in addition to the annual 
assessment of the ordinary county rates and levies, be 
authorized to assess a certain per cent, of small amount, 
upon the property, real and personal, trades, occupations, 
etc., of our citizens, to be collected by the same ofiicer to 
whom the collection of the county tax is entrusted, to be 
paid by the several county treasurers to the commissioners 
of internal improvement funds, and by them invested in the 
funds of the Commonwealth, bearing interest at 5^. The 
interest as it becomes due from time to time, to be otherwise 
invested, and that part so invested, together with the in- 
terest thereon accruing, shall be taken and held by the Com- 
monwealth for the purposes of a general system of educa- 
tion, and for no other means whatever. ' ' 

A meeting of the Pittsburgh citizens was held in the 
court house, on January thirtieth, 1830, over which Matthew 
B. Lowry presided and for which Edward P. Gazzam acted 
as secretary. It was resolved : 

'' That the subjoined memorial of the ' Pennsylvania 
Society for the Promotion of Public Schools ' be approved 
and adopted by this meeting, and that the officers of this 
meeting be requested to sign the same, and forward it to 
our, representatives in the State Legislature. 

[ 307 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

' ' To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representa- 
tives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, The memorial 
of the subscribers, citizens of the said Commonwealth. 

' ' Respectfully sheweth : That your memorialists contem- 
plate with regret the imperfections of the system of public 
education now established in Pennsylvania, and are 
desirous that the constitutional provisions on this subject 
may be carried into effect by adequate Legislative move- 
ments. 

" We regard the existing laws as insufficient for that 
purpose. Their effect has not been that univeral extension 
of education which the nature of our republican government 
requires; and there is reason to fear that if they are con- 
tinued without improvement, they will yearly become more 
defective in their operations. 

'^ We lament that a Commonwealth like ours, powerful, 
wealthy, distinguished for wise laws and gigantic internal 
improvements, should remain inferior to any of her sister 
states, in a matter of such vital importance as the diffusion 
of education. We earnestly request that you will, as speedily 
as possible, direct your attention to this subject; and es- 
tablish by law a uniform system of schools, to be supported 
at the public expense, in every district of the State where 
the inhabitants are willing to receive them. It is well 
known that in New England and the State of New York, the 
public schools are so well conducted as to supercede, to a 
great extent, the necessity of supporting private establish- 
ments and we doubt not that the same might, with proper 
exertions, be made the case in Pennsylvania. 

' ' Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be pub^ 
lished in all the papers of this city. ' ' 

Very strong feeling was evidenced in the various news- 
papers throughout this period at the inertness of the Legis- 
lature in even considering, let alone taking action, toward 
raising an adequate school fund. Many are the reported 
meetings of " Teachers' Associations," and *' the resolu- 
tions " of numerous literary societies, of which the vital 
gist was : ' ' The subject of common schools does not receive 
the attention in this State which its importance demands ; ' ' 
* ' and it is resolved to look with regret on the neglect of the 

[ 308 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

Legislature of this State in enacting laws for the better 
support and regulation of common schools." 

In 1824 an Act had been passed ' ' to provide for the more 
effectual education of the poor gratis," but this law was 
never permitted to become active and after two years was 
repealed, and so the old ^ * convenient ' ' law of * ' '09 " con- 
tinued to be the statute of education in Pennsylvania. 
From time to time special enactments had been made for 
Philadelphia, Lancaster, and Pittsburgh, and though the 
committees report the work of the " Poor Schools " of 
Philadelphia as beneficial, no such report is extant of the 
*' Poor Schools " of Pittsburgh, but on the twenty-third 
of November, 1830, a Meeting of the Teachers of the Com- 
mon Schools in the county of Allegheny was held in the 
Court House. The resolutions there adopted throw con- 
siderable light on the feeling of the public and on the 
apathy of the Legislature in educational matters. But the 
legislators were at this time entirely occupied with the 
great Internal Improvement Bill — the Pennsylvania Canal 
— which had been commenced in 1826. Legislation on all 
other matters was for many years secondary to this, but 
the advocates of a public system of education persevered. 

In January, 1831, the following memorial was sent to the 
Capital at Harrisburg: 

*' To the Honorable Senate and House of Representa- 
tives of the State of Pennsylvania, the memorial of the 
subscribers and citizens of the said Commonwealth show- 
eth: 

'' That your memorialists contemplate with regret the 
imperfections of the system of public education now es- 
tablished in Pennsylvania and are desirous that the con- 
stitutional provisions on this subject, established in 1790, 
viz: * That the Legislature shall as soon as conveniently 
may be, provide by law, for the establishment of schools 
throughout the State,' may be carried into effect by the 
Legislature unanimously. * * * 

' ' Your memorialists further beg leave to state that there 
have already been one hundred and fifty thousand dollars 
expended by the Legislature for colleges and academies, 
from which institutions the poor classes have been excluded. 

[ 309 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBURGH 

This your memorialists believe to be anything else than what 
the f ramers of our constitution intended. Happily ignorant 
of the different grades in society, aware that no one is de- 
barred from our political institutions, we consider it a 
duty to establish a system of liberal education, as extensive 
as circumstances can possibly authorize. The details of 
such a plan are of course left to the wisdom of the Legisla- 
ture. Your memorialists, however, take the liberty of men- 
tioning that a committee be appointed which shall divide 
the State into such school districts, in which there may be 
proper officers, elected by the people to establish and regu- 
late the schools, as directed by the vigilance of those officers 
that no incompetent or unworthy teacher may find a place 
therein. Each district may use all or part of its own funds, 
which would not amount to more than is now expended by 
individuals for that purpose. 

'' Your memorialists are informed from undoubted 
authority that while there are at least four hundred thou- 
sand children in Pennsylvania, between the ages of five and 
fifteen, there were not during the past year one hundred 
and fifty thousand in all the schools of the State, then it is 
probable that two hundred and fifty thousand children, 
capable of instruction, were not in the schools during the 
past year. Many of these children never go to school at 
all. Multitudes are living and continuing to live in igno- 
rance, and multitudes more receive at the best, but the 
most superficial instruction. We earnestly request that 
you will, speedily as possible, direct your attention to the 
subject and establish by law a uniform system of schools 
to be supported at the public expense in every district of 
the State." 

Mr. Fetterman, chairman of the committee on education, 
backed by the strong plea in the memorial, on the third 
of February, 1831, made so forceful a report of the general 
conditions and need for common schools, that it was ac- 
cepted by both the House and Senate and resulted in legis- 
lation regarding the making of a School Fund. Mr. Fetter- 
man's report stated; 

''A Government to be stable must rest upon the virtue 
and intelligence of its citizens; and a nation to continue 

[ 310 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

prosperous and happy must plant deep and wide those 
moral principles that direct us in our duty as individuals 
and members of a community. 

** With us, the capability of a people to govern them- 
selves is undergoing an experiment. To be successful, the 
means must be placed within their reach, by which they 
may become acquainted with the nature of the form of 
Government, and guarded against that corruption, that 
when once seated, causes decay of all free institutions. 

^' With us, every man is eligible to office, and every one 
should be enabled to prepare himself, so as honorably and 
faithfully to discharge the functions of that office to which 
the exigencies of his government or the suffrages of his 
fellow citizens may elevate him. 

*' With us, the people enjoy to the fullest extent the 
elective franchise. That it may be prudently and properly 
exercised, they must be instructed to appreciate the value 
of that privilege, and to judge rightfully of men and things, 
else they may be led to the commission of fatal and irretriev- 
able errors. 

'* With us, in the hands of the people are placed their 
own destinies. That they may be propitious, they have only 
to be enlightened to determine their own good. 

' ' So early as the year 1770, our sister State, Connecticut, 
then a province, led the way in the establishment of a gen- 
eral system of education. Common schools were opened 
to every child within her territory; able and competent 
teachers were secured, and a fund established adequate to 
the support of their system. In 1789, the Legislature of 
Massachusetts provided by law for the instruction of her 
youth; since then she has been followed by New York, 
Ohio, and several other States. With the Legislatures of 
those States all other considerations have been held as only 
secondary to a right instruction of their citizens and have 
consequently provided ample means for their education. 
But during this time what has Pennsylvania done? She 
has been engaged in the encouragement of industry, in 
promoting her agriculture and manufactures, in increasing 
the physical comfort and convenience of her citizens, in 
improving the face of her territory, or withdrawing from 

[ 311 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

the bosom of the earth the wealth that has been secreted 
for ages within her. Her sister commonwealths have not 
been behind her. But in the strife of contending States 
which should be foremost in the cultivation of mind, or, 
which should lead to the improvement of the human heart, 
she has scarce been seen or felt or heard. In those States 
wherein common schools have been established, the ad- 
vancement of the intellectual and moral powers of their 
people have kept pace with their advance in population and 
greatness. 

' ' But with us that the mind has been fearfully neglected 
through a long career of prosperity, is too faithfully evi- 
denced by the degraded state of education amongst us. By 
the fact that of four hundred thousand children, between the 
ages of five and fifteen years, it is estimated that more than 
two hundred and fifty thousand have not been within a 
school during the last year ; that a large proportion of our 
adult population can neither read nor write, and that in 
some places the inhabitants of whole districts are growing 
destitute of instruction, unacquainted with their duty as 
citizens, unfortified by the influences of religion, and left 
to become fit subjects for that wild spirit of party that has 
so often shaken to the centre our social relations, or to be 
the perpetrators of crime, and the miserable inmates of our 
jails and penitentiaries. 

*' In some of these States that have established common 
schools, it has been ascertained by observation that of those 
tried and convicted for the commission of various crimes, 
those who were inmates of common schools were in pro- 
portion to those who were not, of not more than one to 
twenty. With the experience of so favorable a result be- 
fore us, when crime is increasing more rapidly than the 
increase of our population, when how to prevent it has be- 
come the constant study of the legislator, your committee 
would suggest what means more effectual than the educa- 
tion of our children, than to secure to the youth of present 
and future generations a substantial and moral education 
that will incline them to eschew vice and love virtue. 

" In such a population where the uneducated bear so 
great a proportion to the educated, there cannot be that 

[ 312 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

firmness that is essential in a republican government. The 
great moral force of an enlightened people is wanting. 
Heretofore, the reach of a few centuries has embraced the 
rise, the progress and the fall of all popular governments. 
Their declension was not owing to any original defect in 
their organization, but to their neglect to educate their 
people to make them acquainted with the nature of their 
government, and enable them to judge rightly of the meas- 
ures of those who administered them. They were not 
preserved a moral and thinking people but left open to 
corruption and were too easily seduced by the bland 
sycophancy of dangerous men. And when the age in 
which we live is so strongly marked by political convulsion, 
when all old institutions appear heaving from the base, 
and all new ones seem unsettled, if we should be preserved 
from that change for the worst that has been the fate of all 
who have preceded us, provision must be made for general 
education. 

'' Your committee were further of the opinion that, to 
secure the permanent establishment and future prosperity 
to any system of education, it must derive its support from 
some means other than voluntary contribution or taxation 
alone. In the States in which the common schools have been 
opened, their support has been provided for in various 
ways. In Massachusetts the several towns are compelled 
to raise the necessary money by taxation. In Connecticut 
they are supported by a common fund; and in New York, 
by a common school fund, of the proceeds of which annual 
distribution is made amongst their several school districts 
on condition of their raising by taxation or otherwise a 
sum equal to their distributive share of that fund. In Con- 
necticut their common school fund amounts to $1,882,000. 
In New York, their fund amounts to about $1,777,000, and 
during the last year four hundred and ninety-nine thousand 
four hundred and twenty-four scholars were taught on 
the average of eight months and at an expense of $536,320. 
The latter system was left optional with the people to adopt 
and in the first few years but few schools were established ; 
but they have gradually increased and are now extended 
over all the vast territory of that State. 

[ 313 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

" Your committee, deeming it no disparagement to 
profit by the example of other States, recommend the sup- 
port of any system we may adopt, in a way somewhat simi- 
lar to that of New York, that a common school fund shall be 
formed, and any deficiency shall be provided for by the 
districts hereafter to be established. Thus while the com- 
mon fund will operate as a great inducement to the support 
of schools, the contributions of those concerned in each 
district will insure a deeper interest in the success of their 
schools than might prevail were they altogether dependent 
upon the donations of the public. The means for the estab- 
lishment of such a fund, they believe, to be within the reach 
of this Legislature, without a resort to taxation or embar- 
rassment to the concerns of the commonwealth. From the 
most accurate information they have been able to obtain, 
there is due to the commonwealth from the holders of un- 
patented lands a sum exceeding two millions of dollars, 
and that notwithstanding the low rate that land is now 
sold by the State, from lands yet vacant and unappro- 
priated, a very considerable sum in addition to the above 
can be raised. The payments from these sources into the 
treasury have been annually increasing, and during the last 
year amounted to one hundred and twenty thousand dollars. 
If the money thus arising was transferred and pledged to 
the support of common schools, within three years, or four 
at the utmost, the fund would increase to a sum sufficiently 
large thereafter to warrant the yearly distribution of a 
considerable sum for their support, and that sum would in- 
crease with the fund and the spread of the schools through- 
out the State. The plan, your committee believe would be 
decidedly preferable to that of taxation ; if the latter would 
be adopted there is too much reason to fear that the acts 
so providing for a fund would become obnoxious and soon 
be repealed ; and if such would not be the result, yet a sum 
could not be raised that for many years would warrant a 
distribution. Your committee have been governed in the 
belief that a system to be effectual, must commence opera- 
tions within three or four years. 

" The setting aside of the proceeds from land for the 
support of schools, will, in some measure, have the good 

[ 314 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

effect of securing the payment of the money thus due, at as 
early a period as those who are delinquent may find it prac- 
ticable. This disposition will be promoted, when they are 
assured that they are but providing for the future welfare 
of their children; that the money thus paid, after having 
aided in the common operations of government, and in great 
purposes of internal improvements, will flow back to them 
again, securing to their children a good education and mak- 
ing them wiser and better citizens. 

*' And by this disposition of the money, thus arising, 
your committee believe no inconvenience will be felt, as 
before mentioned. It is recommended that the money thus 
paid should be loaned to the commonwealth at an annual 
interest of five per cent, until otherwise directed; and that 
until the school fund shall have increased to four hundred 
thousand dollars, the interest arising upon the sums loaned 
shall be loaned in like manner; thus reserving, until that 
period, to the commonwealth the use of the whole sum paid 
and the interest upon the same. At that period, we have 
every assurance that the financial concerns of our State 
will be truly prosperous. The great chains of canal and 
railroad we are now constructing, will be completed and in 
the full tide of successful operation, affording sources of 
profitable and unfailing revenue, so much so that it cannot 
remain longer questionable even with the most incredulous, 
but that they will yield an undisposed surplus sufficient to 
meet the deficiency that will then be occasioned by the diver- 
sion of the proceeds from land. And in the event of a 
possible failure from these sources, the necessity of pro- 
viding for the ordinary and indispensable expenditures of 
government, will at once reconcile the people of Pennsyl- 
vania to any measures that may be deemed necessary to 
meet them. 

*' The fund that can thus be raised, your committee be- 
lieve will be sufficient to secure the successful support of 
common schools, adequate to the wants of our rising and 
increasing population. The establishment of such a system, 
however, cannot be the work of a month, or of a year, but 
will require time to mature and get under way. But when 
once under way, whilst its spread will be gradual it will be 

[ 315 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBURGH 

constant, till its blessings shall be felt througliout every 
part of the commonwealth. 

** That a part of the expense of supporting the system 
submitted will have to be borne by the inhabitants of those 
districts in which schools may be established, your commit- 
tee believe will impose no obstacle to the general acceptance 
of the provisions of the act detailing that system. The 
money now annually expended, in too many instances waste- 
fully and uselessly expended in the support of private 
schools, wherein two hundred thousand children receive but 
an imperfect instruction, would be much more than sufficient 
to support common schools throughout our State and secure 
a sound and moral education to all our youth. Towards the 
education of poor children alone, there is annually expended 
upwards of one hundred thousand dollars with little effect ; 
this item of expenditure will cease with the establishment 
of common schools and the money thus expended in many 
counties with the aid of a distributing share of the common 
fund, will enable those counties to support such a number 
of schools that every child may be instructed, and to estab- 
lish libraries in every district, securing to all means of 
acquiring valuable and useful information. By such a sys- 
tem there will thus be a saving to the community of at least 
one-half the sum now yearly expended for purposes of 
education, a consideration of itself sufficient to secure our 
zealous action. But other, greater and more splendid re- 
sults are justly to be anticipated. Whilst we thus lay the 
foundations of a general system of common schools, we 
secure to the youth of this age that are gathering around us, 
and those that shall succeed them, equally the means of 
obtaining an education that will oppose some barrier to that 
fiood of dissipation which is increasing and wide-spreading 
amongst us ; that will enable them to appreciate the value of 
our free institutions, and guard them from their abuse; 
that will save them from that wild careering of faction from 
which we have not been exempt, and from the shock of those 
convulsions that are felt in the political world; and finally 
we shall have the assurance that whilst Pennsylvania is 
rising and moving forward her advance will be sure; and 
that her strength will consist not in her wealth or the width 

[ 316 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

of her territory ; not in her stupendous improvements or the 
increase of her population ; but in the virtue, the integrity 
and the intelligence of her citizens." 

The Legislature finally stirred, and an act was passed on 
the second of April, 1831, providing for the establishment 
of a general system of education by creating "A common 
school fund." Three commissioners were appointed ta 
manage it. All moneys due from unpatented lands secured 
to the State by mortgages or lien for purchase money, and 
all moneys for applications, warrants and patents for land 
fees in the land office, and the proceeds of a tax of one mill 
per dollars were assigned to it. The State treasurer was 
required to make an annual report of the amounts received 
for the fund ; the interest was to be added to the principal 
until the annual investment should amount to one hundred 
thousand dollars; then, thereafter, the interest was to be 
annually distributed for the support of such schools " as 
shall be provided for by law. ' ' 

This act, however, made no immediate providence for 
schools, and those near whose hearts the matter rested, who 
realized the vital necessity of even an elementary education, 
who knew education meant more than the art to read and 
write — meant wholesome ideas of work and the privilege 
of citizenship — continued to urge the matter. Governor 
Wolf always devoted a part of his messages to the subject. 
In December, 1833, he wrote : 

'' To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Com- 
monwealth of Pennsylvania: 

*' Fellow Citizens: 

" Universal Education, if it were practicable to enforce 
it everywhere, would operate as a powerful check upon 
vice, and would do more to diminish the black catalogue 
of crimes, so generally prevalent, than any other measure, 
whether for prevention or punishment, than has hitherto 
been devised ; in this State, it is not only considered as being 
entirely practicable, but is enjoined by the Constitution as 
a solemn duty, the non-compliance with which, has already 
stamped the stain of inexcusable negligence upon the char- 

[ 317 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

acter of the Commonwealth, which nothing short of prompt 
and efficient measures in compliance with the constitutional 
requisition can remove. The Legislature has the authority 
of the constitution to act efficiently and without control in 
this matter. And ' to provide by law, for the establishment 
of schools throughout the State, in such manner that the 
poor may be taught gratis,' is one of the public measures 
to which I feel it to be my duty to now call your attention 
and most solemnly to press upon your consideration. Our 
apathy and indifference, in reference to this subject, be- 
comes the more conspicuous when we reflect, that whilst we 
are expending millions for the improvement of the physical 
condition of the State, we have not hitherto appropriated a 
single dollar that is available for the intellectual improve- 
ment of its youth; which in a moral and political point of 
view, is of ten-fold more consequence, either as respects the 
moral influence of the state, or its political power and 
safety. Let me not be understood, however, as objecting to 
the expenditure of money in prosecuting the public works — 
far from it; but I would respectfully urge that whilst the 
one is being successfully done, the other should not be left 
undone; indeed, judging from the flattering indications 
already given by the former, there is reason to believe that, 
from the redundant and progressively increasing revenue 
which may with great certainty be expected to flow into the 
treasury from that source, much aid may, at no distant daj^, 
be derived to the latter, should it be found expedient to re- 
sort to that branch of the public revenue for such a pur- 
pose. 

"According to the returns of the last census, we have in 
Pennsylvania five hundred and eighty-one thousand one 
hundred and eighty children, under the age of fifteen years, 
and one hundred and forty-nine thousand and eighty-nine 
between the ages of fifteen and twenty years, forming an 
aggregate of seven hundred and thirty thousand two hun- 
dred and sixty-nine juvenile persons of both sexes, under 
the age of twenty years, most of them requiring more or less 
instruction. And yet, with all this numerous youthful popu- 
lation growing up around us, who in a few years are to be 
our rulers and our law givers, the defenders of our country 

[ 318 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

and the pillars of the State, and upon whose education will 
depend, in a great measure, the preservation of our liberties 
and the safety of the Republic, we have neither schools 
established for their instruction nor provision made by law 
for establishing them as enjoined by the constitution. How 
many of the number last mentioned would be entitled, within 
the meaning of the constitution, to be ' taught gratis? ' I 
have no means of ascertaining but am inclined to the 
opinion that four hundred thousand would fall short of the 
number; about twenty thousand of these as appears from 
the returns made to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, 
under a resolution of the House of Representatives on the 
ninth of January last, are returned as charity scholars, 
whose tuition is to be paid for out of the county funds, 
leaving, according to this assumption, three hundred and 
eighty thousand entirely uninstructed. 

'' I have said that there has not hitherto been an appro- 
priation made that is available for the purpose of education; 
this is literally true, but the legislature, by the act of 
second of April, eighteen hundred and thirty-one, have made 
provision for erecting a fund, in prospect, for that object, 
by setting apart for common school purposes, the proceeds 
arising from unpatented land fees in the land office, and all 
moneys received in pursuance of the provisions contained in 
the fourth section of the act to increase the county rates 
and levies, passed the twenty-fifth day of March, eighteen 
hundred and thirty-one, which, it is estimated, will on the 
fourth day of April next, amount to a sum not less than 
five hundred and forty-six thousand five hundred and sixty- 
three dollars and seventy-one cents. This sum, with the 
amount annually accruing from the increased county rates 
and levies for the use of the Commonwealth whilst the act 
continues in force, and that arising from a continuance of 
the avails of the land office thereafter, is chargeable upon 
the internal improvement fund, at a compound interest of 
five per cent, per annum, until it shall produce one hundred 
thousand dollars annually, after which the interest is to be 
distributed at the end of each year and applied to the sup- 
port of common schools throughout the State. Estimating 
this fund in its most unfavorable aspect, the interest will 

[ 319 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

amount to the sum contemplated for distribution on or 
about the first of April, eighteen hundred and forty-three ; 
in the meantime, however, there are no available means for 
commencing this much-desired measure of State policy, this 
true system of republican equality that will level all dis- 
tinction between rich and poor ; that will place the child of 
the most indigent citizen of the Commonwealth upon a level 
with that of his richer neighbor, both in the school room 
and upon the campus; will instruct the rising generation 
in their duties as citizens; enable them to appreciate the 
sentiment of acquired freedom; and secure the perpetua- 
tion of civil and religious liberty to our country, by teaching 
them what civil and religious liberty really import and 
mean. It is to this all-important measure, both as regards 
our happiness as a people and of the sincerity of our in- 
valuable political institutions, to which I would earnestly 
invite your immediate attention and upon which I would 
solicit your prompt action. 

^' It is time, fellow citizens, that the character of our 
State should be redeemed from the state of supineness and 
indifference under which its most important interests, the 
education of its citizens, have so long been languishing, and 
that a system should be arranged that would ensure, not 
only an adequate number of schools to be established 
throughout the State, but would extend its provisions so as 
to secure the education and instruction of a competent num- 
ber of active, intelligent teachers, who will not only be pre- 
pared but well qualified to take upon themselves the govern- 
ment of the schools and to communicate instruction to the 
scholars. Some of our colleges that had been abandoned 
either from mismanagement, or the want of sufficient en- 
couragement, are about to be resuscitated under encourag- 
ing circumstances ; most of these have partaken largely of 
the liberality and bounty of the State and would doubtless 
willingly extend their aid to accomplish an object so de- 
sirable. Others have but recently been established and 
gone into operation and have as yet received no share of 
the Commonwealth's munificence; some, if not all of these 
last mentioned, have adopted the popular and improved 
Fellenberg system of uniting labor with study; these, it is 

[ 320 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

believed, would make admirable nurseries for bringing up 
and qualifying young men for the business of teaching. 
Moderate appropriations in aid of these literary institu- 
tions that have not participated of the Commonwealth's 
bounty, might place them in a condition to furnish the State 
with a respectable number of well-educated young men, 
instructed, as some of those institutions propose to do, in 
the business of teaching as a profession, in a short time 
and at a comparatively trifling expense. These suggestions 
are thrown out for your consideration, should they elicit a 
more eligible or better plan for attaining the end desired, 
it will afford me much gratification to unite with the General 
Assembly in carrying it into effect." * * * 

Finally, after all these years of struggle with not only the 
Legislators, but against the inertia of the people, and even 
the aggressive resistance of some, largely illiterate for- 
eigners, on the first day of April, 1834, Governor Wolf ap- 
proved Act 102 to establish a general system of education 
by common schools in Pennsylvania. 

" Preamble. — Whereas, it is enjoined by the constitu- 
tion, as a solemn duty which cannot be neglected without a 
disregard of the moral and political safety of the people: 
And whereas, the fund for common school purposes, under 
the act of the second of April, 1831, will, on the fourth of 
April next, amount to the sum of five hundred and forty- 
six thousand five hundred and sixty-three dollars and sev- 
enty-two cents, and will soon reach the sum of two millions 
of dollars, when it will produce, at five per cent., an interest 
of one hundred thousand dollars, which, by said act is to 
be paid for the support of common schools : And whereas, 
provisions should be made by law for the distribution of 
the benefits of this fund to the people of the respective 
counties of the Commonwealth : Therefore, 

" Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of 
Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 
General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the au- 
thority of the same. That the city and county of Philadelphia 
and every other county in this Commonwealth, shall each 
form a school division, and that every ward, township and 
borough within the several school divisions, shall each form 
21 [ 321 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBURGH 

a school district: Provided, That any borough which is or 
may be connected with a township in the assessment and col- 
lection of county rates and levies, shall, with the said town- 
ship, so long as it remains so connected, form a district ; and 
each of said districts shall contain a competent number of 
common schools, for the education of every child within the 
limits thereof, who shall apply, either in person or by his or 
her parents, guardian or next friend, for admission and 
instruction. 

" Section 2. It shall be the duty of the sheriff of each 
county, thirty days previous to the third Friday in Septem- 
ber of the current year, one thousand eight hundred and 
thirty-four, to give notice by proclamation to the citizens 
of each school district, to hold elections in their respective 
townships, wards and boroughs, at the places where they 
hold their elections of supervisors, town councils and con- 
stables, to choose six citizens of each school district to ser\^e 
as school directors of said districts respectively. ' ' 

Allegheny county, under this provision, was entitled to 
about five thousand dollars annually from the State. Meet- 
ings were held June twenty-eighth, 1834, in each of the four 
wards : 

West (First) Ward, at the house of George Beale, Market 
and Third streets, when W. H. Denny, H. D. Sellers, M. D., 
John McKee, James S. Craft, John Sheriff, W. W. Fetter- 
man were elected directors. 

South (Second) Ward, at the house of William Alex- 
ander, Third and Smithfield streets, when Richard Biddle, 
Hon. G. B. Dallas, John P. Bakewell, George Cochran, An- 
drew Fleming, George D. Bruce, M. D., were elected di- 
rectors. 

East (Third) Ward, at the house of J. Wallace, Fifth 
street, between Wood and Smithfield streets, when Walter 
Forward, Thomas Fairman, W. H. Lowrie, J. R. Speer, 
M. D., John Arthur, Benjamin Bakewell, were elected 
directors. 

North (Fourth) Ward, at the house of Allen Browne, at 
the Allegheny Bridge, when A. Way, George Grant, S. 
Colwell, Z. W. Remington, B. Darlington, O. Metcalf, were 
elected directors. 

[ 322 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

These ward meetings were also held looking toward the 
proclamation of the sheriff " to elect school directors." 
William Lecky ordered these elections to take place on the 
third of September. 

The directors of the North Ward rented an old frame 
house on the corner of Seventh street (then Irwin) and 
Duquesne Way, and employing Mr. G. F. Gilmore, the first 
common school was inaugurated with five pupils. This 
ward school continued and grew. A school building was 
erected on the same street, near Penn, which was occupied 
in 1838, and used until 1847, when it was burned; the 
directors then purchased a lot on the corner of Penn avenue 
and Cecil alley and erected a new school building in 1848, 
which continued in use until the school was removed to the 
new school house on the corner of Duquesne Way and 
Eighth street. 

The Southward board opened the next school in " Hyde's 
Carpet Factory," on the site of the Monongahela House, un- 
der the supervision of J. B. D. Meeds, September eleventh, 
1835. Seventy-three scholars were registered during the 
school year of 1835-36. In 1841 a new brick school was 
built, three stories in height, on the northeast corner of 
Fourth avenue and Ross street. This was the first per- 
manent home of the ' ' Old South School, ' ' having first been 
lodged in a carpet factory, and then in a chair factory pre- 
viously occupied by Henry Bears. The school continued to 
increase, and in 1850, the directors erected a new building 
on the comer of Ross and Diamond streets. 

The directors of the West Ward purchased from the 
county on Ferry street, between Fourth avenue and Liberty 
street, a building which had been intended for a " Free 
School," and put Mr. and Mrs. Creighton in charge earlj^ 
in 1836. This is believed to have been the first property 
purchased by a school board in Pittsburgh under the Act 
of 1834, The building became inadequate, and in 1850, a 
new one was built between Second and First avenues, Short 
and Liberty streets. 

The East Ward board of directors determined to erect 
a three-story brick school house on the hill, near the old 
water basin, on the northwest corner of Diamond and Scrip 
alleys. This school was opened on the fifth of December, 

[ 323 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

1836, with Mr. and Mrs. Whittier, of Lowell, Mass., in 
charge. Mr. Whittier received eight hundred dollars per 
annum, and Mrs. Whittier four hundred. In 1850 this 
school outgrew its building, and the present edifice was 
erected on the corner of Grant street and Strawberry alley. 

In 1835 an additional sum of $8,800, at the rate of two 
mills upon each dollar, was laid upon the taxable inhabitants 
of Pittsburgh to establish " a general system of education 
by common schools." 

During the first active year of public schools in Pitts- 
burgh, 1836, the property consisted of four small buildings, 
in which ten teachers endeavored to instruct about a thou- 
sand scholars. 

Throughout the State there was, during the year after 
the passing of the Common School Bill, a strong agitation 
to repeal it, and a petition with many names and marks at- 
tached was actually presented to the Legislature, but the 
Hon. Thaddeus Stevens, to whom the State will always be 
indebted for his staunch adherence to the common school 
system, in a single speech defeated the counter-movement, 
and the new system was thus given license to struggle on. 

Though absolute harmony did not exist on all the Boards 
of Directors, and the newspapers of the day spoke of dila- 
toriness, the Mercury, of February twenty-first, 1838, pub- 
lished the following statistics : 

ii- Pittsburgh Public Schools. 

a There are eighteen teachers and twelve Public Schools 
in the City of Pittsburgh ; five for males alone, and five for 
females ; one Infant School for children of both sexes ; and 
one African School where both sexes receive instructions. 
There is in all an average daily attendance of 1,420. The 
average cost per scholar in daily attendance is $5.27 per 
annum — average number of pupils to each teacher sev- 
enty-nine; average salary of teachers is $416.00 per an- 
num. ' ' 

However, scarcely a year passed, after the State's pro- 
vision for Public Schools, without adding a new school 
district or subs-district. The city, during this decade, ex- 
panded, and as new wards were added schools were located 

[ 324 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

in them. As experience was gained from the practice of the 
Common Schools system under the Act of 1834, it was 
found to be advantageous to amend this law considerably, 
which was done by the Legislature in the session of 1854-55. 
The greatest gain to the system through this Act was 
the creating of the office of county superintendent, and 
for the Pittsburgh schools, the uniting of the separate wards 
into a School District. Until this time each ward had been 
entirely independent; this had caused serious difficulties, 
as in the most populous wards the taxpayers were least 
able to pay, and their taxes were heaviest. 

Section one, of this bill, erects every borough and town- 
ship into a school district. 

The second section relates to the regulation of property 
where different wards in the city or boroughs may wish to 
consolidate. 

The twenty-second authorizes directors to borrow money 
for the purpose of erecting school houses. 

The twenty-third authorizes directors to establish a suf- 
ficient number of schools for the education of all who may 
apply, over five and under twenty-one. To purchase ground 
and erect suitable buildings. To employ teachers and direct 
what branches shall be taught in each school, and what books 
used. To establish schools of different grades. To estab- 
lish separate schools for colored children; wherever such 
schools can be located as to accommodate twenty or more 
pupils. To meet immediately after annual elections, to 
decide upon the series of school books; county superin- 
tendents or school directors not to become agents or in 
any way to promote the sale of school books, maps, etc., 
under penalty of fine and imprisonment. 

The twenty-eighth section requires directors, on or be- 
fore the first Monday in May, to fix the amount of school 
tax, sufficient with the school appropriation, to keep the 
schools in operation not less than four nor more than ten 
months each year. 

The thirty-seventh provides : That there shall be chosen, 
in the manner hereinafter directed, an officer for each 
county, to be called the county superintendent. It shall 
be his duty to visit as often as practicable the several 
schools of his county, and to note the course and method 

[ 325 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

of instruction and branches taught, and to give such direc- 
tions in the art of teaching and the method thereof in each 
school, as to him, together with the directors or controllers, 
shall be deemed expedient and necessary; so that each 
school shall be equal to the grade for which it was estab- 
lished, and that there may be, as far as practicable, uni- 
formity in the course of studies in schools of the several 
grades respectively. 

It shall be the duty of each superintendent to see that in 
every district there shall be taught, orthography, reading, 
writing, English grammar, geography, and arithmetic; as 
well as such other branches as the board of directors or 
controllers may require. In case the board of directors or 
controllers shall fail to provide competent teachers to teach 
the several branches above specified, it shall be the duty 
of the county superintendent to notify the board of direct- 
ors or controllers, in writing, of their neglect, and in case 
provision is not made forthwith for teaching the branches 
aforesaid, to report such fact to the Superintendent of 
Common Schools, whose duty it shall be to withhold any 
warrant for the quota of such district of the annual State 
appropriation, until the county superintendent shall notify 
liim that competent teachers of the branches aforesaid have 
been employed. And in case of neglect or refusal of the 
board of directors or controllers to employ such competent 
teachers, as aforesaid, for one month after such notification 
by the county superintendent that such teachers have not 
been provided, such district shall forfeit absolutely its 
whole quota of the State appropriation for that year. 

The county superintendents were elected for three 
years. The first superintendent of Allegheny county, 
James M. Pryor, was paid one thousand dollars per annum. 
In 1867 an act empowered cities and towns of not less than 
ten thousand inhabitants to elect superintendents. George 
J. Lucky was elected in May, 1868, and served continuously 
until June, 1899, when he was succeeded by Samuel An- 
drews. This act has been amended repeatedly to meet the 
various exigencies of the school system. 

Under the new law a Central Board of Education was 
constituted by the selection of one director from each ward. 
The first meeting was held on the twentieth of February, 

[ 326 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

1855, in the Fourth (North) Ward School House. John D. 
Bell represented the First ward; Reuben Miller, Jr., the 
Second; Samuel M. Kier, the Third; Robert E. McGowin, 
the Fourth; William McCague, the Fifth; James Lowry, 
Jr., the Sixth; William Arthurs, the Seventh; William H. 
Everson, the Eighth, and William Varnum, the Ninth. Mr. 
McGowin served as President, Joseph W. Jarvis, Secretary, 
and Reuben Miller, Jr., as Treasurer. The first work of 
the new Board was the organization of the Pittsburgh 
Central High School. Ten rooms in a building on Smith- 
field street, opposite the old Custom House, were secured, 
and on the twenty-fifth of September, 1855, there were 
admitted, after examination, one hundred and fourteen 
scholars, and the High School commenced. The Rev. Jacob 
L. G. McKown was Principal, and was assisted by three 
teachers, Philotus Dean, William M. Dickson, and Mary 
Maitland. These rooms were poorly arranged and warmed, 
badly lighted and ventilated, but they were used for thir- 
teen years; then the Board rented six rooms in the new 
Bank of Commerce Building, on Wood street and Sixth 
avenue. The necessity for a building for the High School, 
though conceded by some of the wards, was not by others, 
and, indeed, for some years the very existence of the institu- 
tion seemed precarious. But Professor Dean, who had 
taken the principalship in 1859, in spite of embarrassments 
in quarters and the financial difficulties, carried it on 
bravely. The city councils granted the Central Board of 
Education a lot on Fulton street, three hundred and sixty- 
five feet, and one hundred and fifty on Bedford avenue, in 
July, 1864. Professor Dean again urged the Board to 
recognize the need for a school building. Finally a Build- 
ing Committee was appointed; Messrs. Harrison, Aiken, 
Mayo, Taylor, and Craig. The contracts were let and the 
foundation stone laid with great ceremony on Thanksgiv- 
ing Day, 1869, and two years later the building was dedi- 
cated with equal ceremony and opened for use. The cost 
is estimated at about $190,706.81. 

The increase and growth of the schools is best appre- 
ciated by a tabulated statement comparing the school sys- 
tem of Pittsburgh since its consolidation, in 1855, to the 
year 1875. 

[ 327 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 



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[ 328 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

In 1875 the total tax levied for school purposes by the 
Central Board, and for building purposes by the sub- 
district Boards, amounted to $606,929.76. The total ex- 
pended for all purposes amounted to $751,534.10, including 
the items of salaries of superintendent and teachers, pur- 
chase of ground, building, payment of floating debt, in- 
terest, furniture and supplies, insurance, gas and water 
taxes, care of properties, improvements, payment on 
bonded debt, etc., etc. At this time the bonded indebtedness 
amounted to $840,147.78, the floating indebtedness to $25,- 
790.27, and the value of school property to $1,874,900. 



Statement. 

Showing the Mnrollmerit and Attendance in the Several School 
Departments, Numher of Teachers Employed for the Tear 
Ending August 31, 1900. 





Pupils 


—Average Monthly 
Enrollment. 


Pupils — Average 
Daily Attendance. 


Teachers 

Employed at 

Close of Term. 


DISTRICTS. 


■6 

ID 

II 


a 


i 

i 


1 
o 

Eh 


S 
1^ 


u 

S 

i 

u 
O 


■i 
I 


a 


a 

g 
< 


•3 

a 
'o 
a 


o 
H 


Allen 


1,084 

660 

559 

725 

1,073 

459 

157 

1,523 

1,102 

897 

657 

2,578 

1,823 

1,102 

1,805 

1,386 

536 

601 

2,162 

2,003 

1,016 

8,200 

251 

1,722 

997 

1,.571 

1,746 

330 

2,921 

511 


795 
435 
478 
535 
639 
388 
138 

1,005 
778 
613 
387 

1,777 

""""784 
1,364 

915 

425 

4.55 
1,524 
1,497 

711 
1,728 

243 
1,219 

690 
1,206 
1.272 

252 
2,161 

478 


190 
88 
90 
84 
164 
23 
28 
272 
190 
156 

410 
1,586 
177 
195 
230 

.52 

68 
396 
368 
196 
212 
8 
259 
139 
205 
194 

20 
373 

36 


985 

523 

568 

619 

803 

410 

166 

1,277 

968 

769 

433 

2,187 

1,586 

961 

1,559 

1,145 

477 

523 

1,920 

1,865 

907 

1,940 

251 

1,478 

829 

1,411 

1,466 

272 

2,. 534 

514 


709 
385 
392 
508 
576 
310 
118 
855 
721 
531 
315 
1,545 

"""679 
1,253 

868 

386 

391 
1,347 
1,347 

641 
1,508 

208 
1,079 

611 
1,078 
1,181 

227 
1,923 

360 


176 

80 

76 

82 

154 

20 

26 

250 

176 

142 

42 

374 

1,496 

161 

179 

218 

48 

63 

365 

285 

181 

194 

6 

241 

128 

185 

183 

18 

359 

32 


885 

465 

468 

590 

730 

330 

144 

1,105 

897 

673 

357 

1,919 

1,496 

840 

1,432 

1,086 

434 

454 

1,712 

1,632 

822 

1,702 

214 

1,320 

739 

1,263 

1.364 

245 

2.282 

392 


19 

10 
12 
13 
10 

4 

21 
19 
13 

7 
38 

"19 
30 
24 

9 
10 
37 
34 
18 
34 

5 
26 
14 
28 
27 

5 
46 
10 


5 

3 

2 

3 

8 

4 

1 

7 

6 

4 

2 

14 

63 

5 

9 

6 

2 

3 

11 

10 

5 

11 

1 

5 
6 
8 

1 
15 
2 


J 
1 


25 


Bedford 


14 




15 




17 


Brushton 


19 


Colfax 


]J 


Duquesne 


6 


Forbes 


29 


Franklin 


26 


Grant 


18 




10 


Hiland 


53 


High 


64 


Homewood 


25 


Howard 


40 


Humboldt 


31 


Knox 


12 


Lawrence 


14 


Liberty . . 


49 


Lincoln 


45 


Luckey 


24 


Minersville 

Monongahela 


46 

7 


Moorhead 


34 


Morse. 


20 


Mt. Albion 


36 


Mt. Washington 

North . . 


36 

7 


Oakland 


62 


O'Hara 




18 



[ 329 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 



Statement Showing the Enrollment and Attendance, Etc. — 

{Continued). 





PCPILS 


— Avkragk Monthly 

Enrollment. 


Pupils — Avebagb 
Daily Attendance. 


Teachbbs 

Employed at 

Globe of Term. 


districts. 




s 
S 


a 
s 

c3 
u 

o 


1 


B 

p-l 

1,619 
156 
288 
141 
291 
250 
342 
706 
396 

1,070 
407 
795 


a 

i 

C3 


"3 


a 

PL. 


OS 

a 
a 

5 


4 

3 
a 

'u 


•a 

1 


Peebles 


2,325 
213 
492 
221 
449 
442 
517 

1,163 
577 

1,899 
686 

1,125 


1,778 
184 
324 
156 
331 
293 
369 
802 
419 

1,245 
455 

1,058 


358 

25 

10 
58 
52 

95 
123 

75 

292 

78 


2,036 
184 
349 
166 
389 
345 
464 
925 
494 

1,537 
533 

1,058 


246 

23 

10 
52 
47 
88 
114 
68 
260 
71 


1,865 
156 
311 
151 
343 
297 
430 
820 
464 

1.330 
478 
795 


37 

""6 
3 

8 
7 
8 
18 
8 
28 
10 
44 


11 

""2 
1 
2 
1 
3 

6 
3 

10 
3 


8 
5C 


49 


Practice School 

Ralston 


1 
9 




S 


South 


11 


Springfield 


9 


Sterrett 


12 


St. Clair 


25 




12 


Washington 


39 




14 




45 


Supervisors and Special 


8 




46,286 






39,736 








726 


271 




Total 


32,206 


7,530 


28,513 


6,899 


35.412 


1,047 







STATISTICAL EEPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 

June SOtlh 1900. 



Statement A. — General Information. 

Population of city in 1900 321,616 

Assessed value of real and personal property $322,255,364 00 

Statement B. — Buildings. 

Number of High School Buildings 3 

Number of Sub-District School Buildings 79 

Total 82 

Statement C. — Districts and Directors. 

Number of Sub-School Districts 39 

Number of Members of Central Board of Education 39 

Number of . Sub-District Directors 234 

Statement D. — Teachers. 
High School 64 

Academic Department. 

Males (including Principal) 15 

Females 17 

[ 330 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

Commercial Department. 

Males 5 

Females 11 

Normal Department. 

Males 3 

Pemales 13 

Practice School. 

Females 1 

Sub-District Schools — 

Males 27 

Females 878 

Special Teachers. 

Males (Music Supervisors) 2 

Females (Teachers in School Kitchen) 3 

Females (Teachers in Sloyd) 2 

Female (Drawing Supervisor) 1 

Total 978 



Statement E. — Pupils. 

Pupils admitted to High Schools 1,823 

Pupils admitted to Sub-District Schools 43,318 

Pupils admitted to Kindergartens 1,125 

Total 46,266 



Sex. 

Males admitted to all schools 22,977 

Females admitted to all schools 23,289 

Average Monthly Enrollment. 

High Schools 1,586 

Sub-District Schools 37,092 

Kindergartens 1,058 

Total 39,736 



Average Daily Attendance. 

High Schools 1,496 

Sub-District Schools 33,121 

Kindergartens 795 



Total 35,412 

[ 331 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Statement F. — Finances. 
Receipts. 

Balance on hand from last year $347,859 29 

Amount received from taxation 1,101,934 30 

Amount of state appropriation 220,858 15 

Amount received from sale of bonds 364,167 28 

Amount received from sale of property 6,666 00 

Amount received from interest 3,824 42 

Amount received from other sources 72,586 84 



i,ll7,906 28 



Expenditures. 

The expenditures are divided into Special, General and Salaries for 
convenience. Items under the head of General and Salaries (ex- 
cepting for kindergartens) being taken only in estimating the 
annual cost per capita. 

Special. 

For purchase of ground $9,025 00 

For building 346,165 09 

For payment of bonded debt 84,500 00 

For payment of floating debt 32,859 20 

For payment of interest 69,561 86 

For payment of rent 1,005 20 

For permanent improvements 55,861 04 

For paving and grading 6,524 34 

For furniture 12,293 90 



Total $617,795 63 



General. 

For repairing $45,364 11 

For fuel 21,751 48 

For water 5,304 90 

For record books, stationery and printing 9,868 24 

For gas 7,999 90 

For general supplies 19,290 03 

For apparatus 5,150 41 

For insurance 7,565 62 

For other purposes 43,065 89 

For text books 60,271 86 

For pupils' supplies 17,369 32 

Total $243,001 76 

[ 332 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

Salaries. 

For Teachers' Salaries, day school $634,028 01 

For Janitors' Salaries and house-cleaning 83,523 98 

For Secretaries' and Treasurers' Salaries 10,408 18 

For Superintendent's Salary 3,999 96 

For Supervisors of Music 3,000 00 

For Kindergartens 17,450 00 

For Clerk Hire 1,000 00 

For Supervisor of Drawing 1,250 00 

For Salary of Assistant Secretary 1,500 00 

For Salary of Teachers in School Kitchen 3,000 00 

For Salary of Teachers in Sloyd School 1,500 00 

Total $760,660 13 

Balance on hand $496,448 76 



Statement G. — Cost Per Capita. 

Estimated on the number admitted $21 84 

Estimated on the average monthly enrollment 25 49 

Estimated on the average daily attendance 28 48 



In the legal status of the Pennsylvania public school 
system the city of Pittsburgh constitutes an Independent 
School District, composed of thirty-nine sub-districts, 
which, generally speaking, coincide with the thirty-eight 
municipal wards. Each sub-district is administered by a 
board of six directors, two of whom are annually elected. 
This board levies the local taxes, elects the teachers, pur- 
chases the grounds, has power to erect school buildings, 
and to provide all school equipment, and to perform all 
the duties necessary for the maintenance of a school, except 
paying the teachers and providing the pupils with text- 
books, stationery, etc. 

The Central Board of Education is composed of thirty- 
nine members, one elected every three years by each of the 
sub-districts, who may or may not be a member of a 
sub-district board. This board manages all disburse- 
ments, selects the courses of studies for all schools and High 
Schools, maintains the manual training, and other auxil- 
iary schools, supplies books and stationery to the pupils, 

[ 333 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

and its accounts are submitted to the City Councils and 
must be paid by their order. 

The Superintendent of Schools is the Head of the school 
system and is elected every three years by the sub-district 
directors. 

The Director of High Schools is at the head of the High 
School and is elected annually by the Central Board. 

The school Principal is elected by the directors of each 
sub-district and is at the head of the schools of each sub- 
district. Assistant Principals are elected in each sub-dis- 
trict. 

The Course of Study in the public schools is j&xed by the 
Central Board ; it comprises twelve years. 

The first four Primary years and the second four Gram- 
mar years constitute the eight years' course of the sub- 
district schools. The third four years, or the 9th, 10th, 
lltli, and 12th, constitute the High School Course. 

The High Schools are domiciled in three buildings: 

1. The Central High School Building. Corner of Ful- 
ton and Bedford streets, completed in 1891. 

2. The Fifth Avenue High School Building. Corner 
of Fifth avenue and Miltenberger street, completed in Jan- 
uary, 1896. 

3. The South Side High School Building. Corner of 
Carson and South Tenth streets, completed in August, 1898. 

The High School Course includes four elective courses : 

1. The Classical Course, four years. 

2. The General Course, four years. 

3. The Normal Course, four years. 

4. The Commercial Course, three years. 

In the Central High School Building are maintained 
the Classical Course, the General Course, the first two years 
of the Normal Course, and the first year of the Commercial 
Course. 

In the South Side Building are maintained the first three 
years of the General Course, the first two years of the 
Classical and Normal Courses, and the first year of the 
Commercial Course. 

In the Fifth Avenue Building are the Central Board 
Booms, the ofiices of the Secretary of the Central Board of 

[ 334 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

Education, the offices of the City Superintendent, the 
Director of High Schools, and the Supervisors of Music and 
Draiving. 

Extracting from the Thirty-fifth and Thirty-sixth Annual 
Reports of the City Superintendent of Schools, great im- 
provements may be noted, but the Superintendent assures 
the public that more important improvements must be 
made, that much is needed to keep the schools abreast with 
the movement of the times, which is distinctly educational. 

Two beautiful and thoroughly equipped school buildings 
have been completed in the Sterrett District, the Twenty- 
second Ward, during the last year. These buildings comply 
with all the modern ideas of beauty as well as of service. 
The corridors are of marble, and some of the windows in 
the halls are of beautiful stained glass, and the best known 
systems of ventilating and heating have been utilized, and 
surely this is a great change from the little school Mr. and 
Mrs. Gilmore opened with an average attendance of five 
pupils. 

There is much need for manual training in the schools. 
The Carnegie Technical Schools cannot possibly do this for 
all the boys and girls who need and desire such training. 
It is generally agreed in the cities or the districts where a 
thorough manual training has had a sufficient trial, that 
the intelligence of the community is visibly affected. 
Toledo, Ohio, established manual training in her high 
schools twenty years ago and the effect is marked on all the 
men and women who handle the trades of the community. 
The extension of this work, however, is going rapidly for- 
ward in Pittsburgh. The manual training desirable in the 
schools should include all forms of " hand expression," 
such as writing, drawing, painting, cutting, raffia, sewing, 
cooking, wood, iron, and other work with materials, and 
it is perfectly true, as the Superintendent declares, that 
'* it should be so adjusted to the scholastic work as to pro- 
vide all laboratory work established in the schools to illus- 
trate, demonstrate, and concrete all scholastic instruction. 
It should not be allowed to settle down as a thing by itself, 
disconnected and walled out from the regular exercises of 
the school." 

[ 335 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

The free Kindergartens of the Pittsburgh school are an 
integral and important department. Since 1893 thirty-five 
Kindergartens have been established and directed in Pitts- 
burgh, besides many other in Allegheny, Sewickley, and 
Edgewood Park. This work was' begun in 1892 and is 
directed and maintained by the Pittsburgh and Allegheny 
Free Kindergarten Association, an organization composed 
of the prominent women of this vicinity. Mrs. James I. 
Buchanan is President. The Vice-Presidents are: Mrs. S. 
Jarvis Adams, Mrs. John M. Patterson, Mrs. William Mc- 
Cracken, Jr., Mrs. Edward Bigelow; Miss Mary E. Bake- 
well, Secretary; Mrs. Jarvis Adams, Treasurer; with 
James R. Mellon, General Treasurer. The men who serve 
on the Advisory Board are: J. W. Herron, W. R. Thomp- 
son, Francis J. Torrence, Samuel Hamilton, A. B. Burch- 
field, D. H. Wallace, H. J. Heinz, J. I. Buchanan, J. R. 
Mellon, S. Jarvis Adams, and John A. Brashear. The Hon- 
orary Directors are: Mrs. William K. Gillespie, Mrs. 
AVilliam Frew, and Miss Sarah H, Killikelly, these in addi- 
tion to a board of fifteen directors. Under this management, 
beside the Kindergartens, is maintained the Kindergarten 
College, one of the most thorough in the country, which, 
since its organization, has graduated nearly two hundred 
trained kindergartners. There is no philanthrophic under- 
taking in Pittsburgh which is more successful or more 
wisely conducted than the Pittsburgh and Allegheny Free 
Kindergarten Association. 

The ethical and moral, as well as the physical advantage 
of playing and the necessity of play, have come to be 
realized, so that in the last few years there has grown up 
a committee to superintend '' the Pitsburgh Playgrounds, 
Vacation Schools, and Recreation Parks." The General 
Chairman is Miss Beulah Kennard ; Mrs. J. J. Covert, First 
Vice-Chairman ; Miss Eliza D. Armstrong, Second Vice- 
Chairman; Miss Jennie D. Bradley, Secretary, and Mrs. 
Samuel A. Ammon, Treasurer. The Central Board of Edu- 
cation contributes to this as do also the Pittsburgh Councils, 
and every woman's club in the western part of the State 
has taken an interest in this work. These playgrounds, 
vacation schools and recreation parks are thoroughly super- 

[ 336 ] 



THE SCHOOLS 

vised by a corps of teachers under four supervisors, and 
much may be expected in the general health and morality 
of the children from this endeavor. 

There are ten of these schools, with an average daily 
attendance of two thousand five hundred and seventy-nine, 
where they teach carpentry, basketry, sewing, cooking, milli- 
nery, pottery, nature study, music — that is, singing — and 
where they have drills and games. 

The real growth, the absolute progress of civilization, 
the change from a frontier post, subject to Indian attack, 
through the various gradations, to a great city, from its 
early poverty to its almost too great prosperity, is best 
observed in the beginning and growth of the schools, and 
the relative interest taken in them by the community. 

The Public School System will make its next great leap 
in actual worth when it is removed from political chicanery 
and made what it claims to be, a purely educational system, 
subject only to the laws and changes which will develop and 
enhance its usefulness, helped and protected by the State. 



22 [ 337 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 



THE CHURCHES 



A history of the churches implies at once a history of 
the religious and perhaps the ethical movements of the 
community. A simple history of the churches would mean 
endless dates, the beginnings of foundations, and the laying 
of corner stones, and dedications. This is, of course, possi- 
ble but exhaustive, therefore it has been decided that it is 
wise to attempt to give only the history of some churches. 
It is interesting to trace the history of the first congre- 
gations from the time the Penns invested them with 
two lots and a half apiece, on which they erected small 
buildings of " squared timber," to the magnificent and 
sumptuous edifices that replace them to-day. All this is 
growth, but it is a question if it is a growth in religion; 
however, it certainly is a growth in churches, from the three 
small ones in the beginning to the hundreds of to-day. 

Some of the early travelers, that is, the very early trav- 
elers, found the village of Pittsburgh to be a place of little 
or no religious inclination, but this cannot be said of the 
Pittsburgh of the last hundred years. The place is essen- 
tially Presbyterian. This, to a certain extent, has in- 
fluenced the other Protestant denominations, but it is the 
pre-eminent Presbyterian community of the entire country, 
as evidenced by their three Theological Seminaries, and by 
the beauty and great wealth of their churches. 

The Roman Catholic Church. 

First, however, came the Roman Catholics, because they 
came with the French to Fort Duquesne. The first religious 

[ 338 ] 



THE CHURCHES 

service in what is now the city of Pittsburgh, was held in 
the year 1754, by the Catholic chaplain, in the chapel of 
Fort Duquesne, which was built in that year by the French, 
at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers. 
The chapel was dedicated under the title of '' The Assump- 
tion of the Blessed Virgin of the Beautiful River." In 
those days, and for long afterwards, the Ohio, on account 
of its clear water and rugged scenery, was known as " the 
Beautiful River." 

There is preserved in the archives of the city of Montreal, 
a register of baptisms and deaths kept by the army chap- 
lain of Fort Duquesne, from which we learn that the first 
interment in the cemetery of the Fort was that of Toussaint 
Boyer, died June 20th, 1754. This entry is signed by Friar 
Denys Baron, Recollect Priest, Chaplain. 

A special interest attaches to the name of this mission- 
ary as being the first priest to offer the Holy Sacrifice of' 
the Mass, and the first white man to perform a public act 
of religious worship on the spot where the city of Pitts- 
burgh now stands. His name was Charles Baron, and on 
entering the Recollect Order, he took the name of Denys. 
The register of baptisms and interments which took place 
at Fort Duquesne begins July 11th, 1753, and ends October 
10th, 1756. The records previous to June, 1754, are from 
posts occupied by the French in the northwestern part of 
Pennsylvania, before they took possession of the spot upon 
which Fort Duquesne stood. In the register we find entries 
made by Fr. Gabriel Anheuser and Fr. Luke Collet, but 
they were chaplains from other French forts ; Father Denys 
Baron alone signs himself chaplain of Fort Duquesne. 

The French evacuated the fort in 1758, and from that 
time until 1808, the Roman Catholics in Pittsburgh had no 
resident pastor. 

The number of Catholics prior to 1800, in what is now 
Allegheny county, must have been very small. They were 
visited occasionally by misisonaries traveling westward. 
Rev. P. Huet de la Vilmiere, Rev. Ch. Whalen, Rev. B. J. 
Flaget, Rev. S. Badin, Rev. M. Barrieres, Rev. Wm. 
Founier, Rev. John Thayer, Rev. D. A. Gallitzin, Rev. P. 
Heilbron, and one or two other priests, ministering to a few 

[ 339 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

scattered families, celebrating Mass in private houses, fill 
up the long interval between the chapel of the * ' Assumption 
of the Blessed Virgin of the Beautiful River " in Fort 
Duquesne, and *' Old St. Patrick's " Church, which was 
begun in 1808. 

Rev. Wm. F. X. O'Brien, the first pastor, was ordained 
in Baltimore, 1808, and came to Pittsburgh in November of 
the same year, and at once devoted himself to the erection 
of the building which is known in the history of the diocese 
as " Old St. Patrick's." It stood at the corner of Liberty 
and Washington streets, at the head of Eleventh, in front 
of the Union Station. The structure was of brick, plain in 
design, and modest in size, about fifty feet in length and 
thirty in width. Rt. Rev. Michael Egan dedicated the 
church in August, 1811 ; the dedication was the occasion of 
the first visit of a Bishop to this part of the State. 

Father O'Brien occupied for a time, after his arrival, the 
second story of a frame house on Second avenue, between 
Grant and Smithfield streets. The front room was used 
for a chapel; a German tailor had the first floor. During 
the building of the church, he said Mass in other places, 
one of which was a stable fitted up for a chapel. In this 
humble way did the first pastor lay the foundation of what 
is now the great Catholic church of Pittsburgh. 

After twelve years of labor and exposure on the mis- 
sions of this extensive territory, in which there were, per- 
haps, not more than three hundred souls. Father O'Brien's 
health began to decline, and in March, 1820, he retired to 
Maryland, where he closed his laborious career on the Feast 
of All Saints, 1832. 

There passed away within recent years, a venerable old 
lady, who had lived a long life within the limits of the 
Cathedral parish. She remembered the building of old St. 
Patrick's, and could recall many incidents in the pastorate 
of Father O'Brien. His farewell sermon, delivered on a 
Sunday in the spring of 1820, was one of the strongest im- 
pressions which her memory carried clear and unimpaired 
through eighty years of an eventful life. 

Rev, Wm. F. X. O'Brien was succeeded by the Rev. 
Charles Bonaventure Maguire, who came in April, 1820. 

[ 340 ] 



THE CHURCHES 

His first entry in the church register is under date of May 
21st, and it is prefaced with a note in his own handwriting, 
stating that he was born in Ireland, is a member of the 
Order of St. Francis of the Strict Observance, and was 
formely Professor of Theology in the College of St. 
Isidore, at Rome. 

Father Maguire enlarged " Old St. Patrick's " and made 
other changes and improvements, to meet the requirements 
of the growth of the city and the rapidly increasing Catho- 
lic population. 

Five years later, Father Maguire conceived the idea of 
erecting a new and larger church, a building on which he 
would expend all the energies of his life, and which would 
be his monument to future generations. A committee was 
selected, and, with himself as president, they selected lots 
on the northwest corner of Grant street and Fifth avenue 
as the site of the new church. 

A meeting of the Catholics of Pittsburgh was called, 
August 27th, 1827, to consider the erection of the new 
Church. Father Maguire presided. The lots on the north- 
west corner of Grant street were selected ; they had an ele- 
vation of about twenty-five feet above the present level of 
Grant street. Work was soon after commenced on the 
foundation of the proposed Church, the hill was cut down, 
in view of the future grading of the streets, and the corner 
stone was laid without ceremony by Father Maguire, June 
24th, 1829. It was a great work and necessarily proceeded 
slowly. Before the building was far advanced, the zealous 
and learned pastor was called to his reward, July 17th, 
1833. 

During his pastorate Father Maguire had for assistants 
Rev. Anthony Kenny, Rev. P. Rafferty, Rev. A. F. Van de 
Weyer, Rev. John Grady, Rev. Thos. Gegan, and finally. 
Rev. John 'Reilly, who came in November, 1832, and suc- 
ceeded him after his death. 

Rev. Charles Bonaventure Maguire, 0. S. F., was born 
near Dungannon, County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1768 ; studied 
at Louvain, was ordained there, and served on the missions 
in the Netherlands and Germany; was seized in France 
during the Reign of Terror, and narrowly escaped the guil- 

[ 341 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

lotine ; was professor of theology in Rome ; came to America 
in 1817; and soon after reached Sportsman's Hall (now St. 
Vincent's Abbey), Westmoreland County, Pa., and arrived 
in Pittsburgh in iipril, 1820, where he died of cholera, July 
17th, 1833. 

' ' Fortunate, ' ' says Father A. A. Lambing, in his history 
of the diocese, " was it for the unfinished Church of St. 
Paul's and the congregation, that Father O'Reilly succeeded 
Father Maguire. His skill, energy, and administrative 
ability eminently fitted him for the completion of so im- 
portant an undertaking. Work was immediately resumed 
on the unfinished Church, and through his untiring efforts 
it was ready for dedication the following spring. The dedi- 
cation took place on Sunday, May 4th, 1834, and the Church 
was placed under the invocation of St. Paul the Apostle. 
Bishop Kenrick performed the ceremony, Father O'Reilly 
sang the Mass, and Rev. John Hughes, afterwards Arch- 
bishop of New York, preached the sermon. ' ' 

The first St. Paul's fronted on Fifth avenue. The follow- 
ing description from the American Manufacturer, and prob- 
ably furnished by the architect, Mr. Kerrins, gives an idea 
of the size and style of the edifice : 

" This Church, which is probably the largest in the 
United States, occupies an area of 175 feet in length by 76 
feet in width, vestries and vestibules included. The eleva- 
tion of the sidewalls to the top of the embattled parapets 
by which they are surmounted is 25 feet. These are flanked 
by 26 buttresses, finished with pediment pinnacles and 
crocketed spires. The east end is embellished with a large 
ornamented Gothic window in the centre, flanked by two 
others of regular but diminished proportions, finished at the 
top with minoret and cross, sprung from rampant arches 
and occupying the highest point of the gable parapet. The 
tower stands on the west end, and is immensely strong, 
being supported by four buttresses with flying terminals. 
It is yet unfinished, being little higher than the comb of the 
roof." (The tower was never finished.) 

' ' The immense superficies is enclosed within four double 
doors with enriched panels, and 57 ornamental windows, 
exhibiting in perfect symmetry the florid Gothic style 

■ [ 342 ] 



THE CHURCHES 

throughout. The Church has one central and two side 
aisles, contains 240 pews, which, with those in the gallery, 
make 350, giving seating capacity for 1,500 or 1,800 per- 
sons. 

*' There are 16 columns 40 feet high, supporting the gal- 
leries. The ceiling is Gotliic and neatly frescoed. The 
sanctuary is spacious and contains a splendid high altar, 
uniform in style with the Church. ' ' 

This splendid edifice was erected without soliciting aid 
from abroad, but many non-Catholics contributed liberally 
towards it. To add to the imposing appearance of the 
Church, it occupied such a position as to be the first object 
that met the eye of a person approaching the city from any 
direction. 

Father O 'Reilly continued to exercise the office of pastor 
of St. Paul's until April 1st, 1837, when he was transferred 
to Philadelphia, and Rev. Thomas Heyden, of Bedford, Pa., 
took his place. In November of the same year Father Hey- 
den returned to Bedford, and Rev. P. R. Kenrick, the late 
Archbishop of St. Louis, became pastor of St. Paul's. In 
the summer of 1838 Father O'Reilly, who was then pastor 
of St. Mary's Church, Philadelphia, exchanged places with 
Father Kenrick and returned to Pittsburgh. He remained 
until succeeded by Very Rev'd Michael 'Conner, June 
17th, 1841. 

Rev. John O'Reilly, C. M., deserves to be ranked with 
Father Maguire as one of the great benefactors of the 
Church in Pittsburgh. Born in Ireland, in the year 1796, he 
came to this country before the completion of his studies 
and entered Mt. St. Mary's College, Emmittsburg, where 
he finished his course of studies and was ordained in 1826 
and 1827. He labored on the missions in Huntingdon and 
adjoining counties, erected Churches in Huntingdon, Bell- 
fonte, and Newry, was transferred to Pittsburgh in Novem- 
ber, 1832, where he labored zealously for religion, educa- 
tion, and charity. He left Pittsburgh in 1841, on the arrival 
of Father O 'Conner, and traveled to Rome, where he en- 
tered the Congregation of the Mission. He died at St. 
Louis, Missouri, March 4th, 1862, aged 66 years. 

Very Rev. Michael O 'Conner, Vicar-General of the West- 

[ 343 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

ern part of the diocese of Philadelphia, arrived in Pitts- 
burgh June 17th, 1841, to succeed Rev. John O'Reilly, as 
pastor of St. Paul's. 

The congregation had grown to about four thousand 
souls, and the pastor was assisted by Rev. Joseph F. 
Deane. 

However successfully the affairs of St. Paul's had been 
administered previous to the coming of Father O'Connor, 
a new era, not only for the congregation, but for Catholicity 
in Western Pennsylvania, began with the year 1841. 

One month after his arrival Father O'Connor undertook 
the erection of a parochial school house, organized a lit- 
erary society and opened a reading room for the young men 
of the city. Like the Cathedral Lyceum Truth Society of 
the present day, the society ' ' had for its object to promote 
literary improvement in its members, and give them a more 
thorough acquaintance with history and Scripture connected 
more especially with the development of Catholic prin- 
ciples." 

St. Paul's School buildings were finished and the School 
opened in the year 1844. But in the meantime, the Diocese 
of Pittsburgh had been formed, August 7th, 1843, and the 
pastor of St. Paul's, Very Rev. M. O'Connor, was conse- 
crated its first bishop, at Rome, August 15th, 1843. 

From the consecration of Bishop 'Conner, St. Paul's 
Church was used as his Cathedral, and Father Joseph F. 
Deane continued to assist him in his duties as pastor of the 
congregation until June, 1847, when he withdrew to Clarion 
county. He was succeeded by Rev. Jos. M. Lancaster, who 
remained until September, 1848, when he returned to his 
native State, Kentucky, where he died some years after- 
wards, Vicar-General of the Diocese of Covington. 

He was followed in the pastorate of St. Paul's by Rev. 
James O'Meally, who labored faithfully for two years, and, 
in April, 1850, was followed by Rev. Edward McMahon, 
who was destined to play a more important part in the his- 
tory of the diocese than any other priest had done since the 
days of Father O'Reilly. Fathers Joseph F. Deane, Jos. 
M. Lancaster, and Jas. O'Meally had been in charge of St. 
Paul's Congregation for too short a time to undertake and 

[ 344 ] 



THE CHURCHES 

complete any work of unusual importance in the history of 
the parish. 

Father McMahon was destined to remain about thirteen 
years and to witness many changes in the parish and in the 
diocese. 

In the year 1844 the first episcopal residence was erected 
for the Bishop and the Priests of the Cathedral. 

In the same year the City Council passed an ordinance to 
grade down the streets on Grant's Hill, as that part of the 
city on whidi the Cathedral stood was then called. It was 
feared that the foundations of the Church would be en- 
dangered, and a subscription was started to build retaining 
walls to support it. In the year 1847 there was a second 
grading of Grant and Fifth Streets, by which the founda- 
tions of St. Paul's were irreparably injured and the ap- 
proach rendered extremely difficult. When the grading 
was completed the Church stood perched on a mound some 
twenty feet or more above the level of the street, and flights 
of stairs were necessary to enable the congregation to enter 
it. 

The venerable building was doomed. This history of the 
destruction of old St. Paul's is interesting now, when the 
grading of the same streets is spoken of as ' ' cutting down 
the hump. ' ' 

The condition of the building became daily more pre- 
carious and finally all were convinced that there was no 
alternative. The building must be abandoned, torn down, 
the lot graded and a new Cathedral erected. 

When all was in readiness to tear down the ruined 
structure, when nearly all the insurance policies had been 
permitted to expire, this noble monument of the zeal, en- 
ergy, and taste of Father Maguire took fire. May 6th, 1851, 
and was entirely destroyed. 

The destruction of the old Cathedral by fire hastened the 
carrying into action of the plans for the new building, the 
corner stone of which was laid, with appropriate cere- 
monies, on June fifteenth, 1851, within six weeks after the 
former edifice was demolished. This structure was con- 
ceived in a truly beautiful style, and so far in advance 
of the times were those who planned the work, that to the 

[ 345 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

day it was torn down it was surpassed in beauty and fitness 
of design by very few churcb edifices in the country. I_ point 
of size St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York alone exceeded 
it. About the year 1851 the ' ' Know Nothing ' ' party took its 
rise and displayed considerable activity in Pittsburgh, 
where the notorious Joe Barker was the chief instrument 
in inflaming the animosity and fostering the prejudies of 
the populace. The resulting anti-Catholic feeling and the 
financial depression which spread throughout the country, 
at the same time, made it very difficult to procure funds for 
so costly an enterprise as the building of the Cathedral. 
The energy of Bishop 'Conner supplied, in some measure, 
the deficiency. The basement was finished in September, 
1852, and in June, 1855, the edifice was dedicated. The 
towers were not added until fourteen years later, and the 
whole superstructure was executed in brick instead of cut 
stone, as specified in the original plans. But in spite of the 
reduction in expense, there was, until it was sold, a debt 
upon the Cathedral. 

In 1853 the Diocese of Pittsburgh was divided, Erie being 
the title of the new See. In area the two resulting bish- 
oprics were about equal, but three-fourths of the Catholic 
population of the territory was resident in the Pittsburgh 
Diocese. At the time of the division, the number of Catho- 
lics was estimated at fifty thousand, twice as many as 
formed the charge of Bishop 'Conner on his accession 
nine years before. Bishop 'Conner was transferred to the 
new See, and became the first Bishop of Erie ; but so deep 
was the regret felt at his departure and so necessary was 
his guiding hand to the success of the many works set on 
foot by him, as well as his unfailing zeal, that, at the earnest 
desire of the people and clergy, he was returned to Pitts- 
burgh and was succeeded in Erie by Bishop Young. The 
latter was Bishop-elect of Pittsburgh, not having yet been 
consecrated. 

In the year 1853 also occurred the visit of the Papal 
Nuncio, Cardinal Cajetan Bedini. The Know Nothing 
party was then at the height of its power, and the Cardi- 
nal's carriage was stopped near St. Patrick's church by a 
crowd of agitators, who, however, were guilty of nothing 
more dangerous than insulting remarks. 

[ 346 ] 



THE CHURCHES 

In the next year Bishop 'Conner attended the ever- 
memorable general council, in which the dogma of the Im- 
maculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary was de- 
clared to be de fide, and it is said that some suggestion of 
his with regard to the verbal form of the announcement was 
adopted. This, however, is not substantiated. During a 
subsequent visit to Rome, in 1857, the Bishop purchased for 
the Cathedral the altar piece which hung so many years 
over the High Altar. 

The health of Bishop 'Conner, severely taxed by the 
requirements of his office and by his own zeal in laboring 
incessantly for the good of his people, now began to show 
signs of weakening, and from this time until 1860, when he 
resigned his See, he was often unable to perform his accus- 
tomed duties. He entered the Society of Jesus, which had 
been his desire when he was called upon to become Pitts- 
burgh's first bishop, and, after twelve years of labor in his 
Master's vineyard, he was called to his reward. His grave 
is in the cemetery of his order at Woodstock, Maryland. 

The next bishop was Michael Domenec, a Spaniard by 
birth, and a member of the Vincentian (Lazarist) congrega- 
tion. Soon after his installment the Civil War broke out. 
In 1862 Bishop Domenec made his first visit to Rome, and 
at the same time he went to his native land. The govern- 
ment of Spain was on the point of recognizing the Confed- 
eracy, but, commissioned, it is said, by our government, the 
Bishop succeeded in averting the contemplated step. 

After the close of the war a period of material prosperity 
set in. The iron industry received a great impetus, and 
the population and wealth of Pittsburgh increased propor- 
tionately. The towers of the Cathedral were completed 
according to the original plans, in 1869, and a new resi- 
dence for the Bishop and the priests of the Cathedral was 
designed and execcuted on a magnificent scale. This added 
to the debt upon the property. 

In 1873 came a check to the remarkable business activity 
which had followed the close of the wai. This, as usual, 
affected the temporalities of the church and made the reduc- 
tion of the Cathedral debt extremely difficult. 

The year 1876 saw an unexpected change in affairs. The 

[ 347 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBURGH 

Bishop visited Rome in that year, and the Diocese was 
divided. Allegheny became the new episcopal city, and 
Bishop Domenec was transferred thither. Very Reverend 
John Tuigg of Altoona being consecrated Bishop of Pitts- 
burgh. The division of the Diocese was not a benefit to 
the Church. The boundary line was so drawn as to leave 
the burden of the encumbrances attached to the Cathedral 
upon the parent See, while the Catholic population of the 
latter was considerably less than half what it had been. 

Another year had scarcely passed before measures were 
taken to make known at Rome the undesirability of the 
existing state of affairs. Upon these representations, and 
after due deliberation, the Dioceses of Pittsburgh and 
Allegheny were again united in August, 1877, and have 
since been governed as one. Bishop Domenec resigned the 
See of Allegheny in July of the same year, having left for 
Rome in the spring. He later visited his native city, and 
there died very suddenly of pneumonia in January, 1878. 

The period of Bishop O'Connor's rule over the Diocese 
was one of remarkable growth and activity. The good 
Bishop had his diocese to make, so to speak, and he brought 
to the task great natural ability and much learning, but, 
above all, '' the zeal of God's house had eaten him up." 
He was obliged to procure his own priests, the number at 
that time in western Pennsylvania being far too small to 
meet the needs of the people. To that end the Bishop 
visited Ireland on his way home from Rome in 1843. Eight 
theological students of Maynooth accompanied Bishop 
O'Connor to America. At this time he also induced seven 
Sisters of Mercy to come to Pittsburgh to teach in the 
parish schools. These were the first of this congregation 
to establish themselves in the United States. The first com- 
munity Passionist Fathers and the first Benedictine mon- 
astery in this country were planted in this diocese by 
Bishop O'Connor. The Redemptorists and the Sisters of 
Charity were the only religious orders in western Pennsyl- 
vania when the Diocese of Pittsburgh was erected. The 
first Catholics of Pittsburgh were Irish and German, prin- 
cipally the former, and were few in number. The building 
of the Pennsylvania canal, and, later of the Pennsylvania 

[ 348 ] 



THE CHURCHES 

railroad, the opening of public roads in the western part 
of the State, glass manufacture and the development of 
the iron and steel industries, which have to-day at- 
tained such gigantic proportions, caused a rapid increase 
in the Catholic population, as the worlanen employed in 
these enterprises were for the most part Irish and German 
immigrants. In later years, Poles, Bohemians, and Italians 
have entered the vicinity in large numbers and form no 
inconsiderable portion of the Catholic inhabitants of Pitts- 
burgh. There is scarcely a Catholic church in the city 
without its parochial school, where the children are 
grounded in the truths of religion and in the rudiments of 
secular learning. One-fourth of all the school children in 
Pittsburgh and Allegheny attend parish schools. In many, 
many cases these schools are absolutely free, being sup- 
ported by voluntary contributions of parishioners ; in other 
cases a small fee is asked of those able to pay. The 
Cathedral led the van in the matter of education. Some 
eight hundred children attended its schools, which were 
taught by the Sisters of Mercy. In addition to the parish 
schools, where the common branches were taught, was a 
high school which prepared pupils for a business career or 
for college. A night school was added later. In the crypt 
of the Cathedral was the Cathedral Lyceum, a sort of club 
for young men. This contained a good library, a gym- 
nasium with hot and cold baths and complete exercising 
apparatus, an entertainment hall and parlors. The Lyceum 
was under the supervision of the pastors of the church, 
and was the center of interest for the young men of the 
Cathedral. 

The off-shoots of the Cathedral up to the year 1878 were 
Bixteen in number, and included churches in Allegheny, on 
the South Side and in Pittsburgh proper. Two of them 
were for the colored people, one has been abandoned as 
unnecessary. The present church for the colored people 
is under the invocation of St. Benedict the Moor, and is on 
Overhill street. 

Bishop Tuigg, who assumed charge of the reunited dio- 
ceses in 1877, was especially fitted to cope with the diffi- 
culties which presented themselves at that time. He found 

[ 349 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

the Diocesan institutions and property burdened by a debt, 
the extent of which was not even correctly known. The 
Cathedral was heavily encumbered in 1877. The first task 
of the new Bishop was to acquaint himself with the exact 
state of Diocesan finances. It is said of him that he was 
able to state from memory the amount to the cent due on 
every piece of Diocesan property. Having brought order 
out of confusion, his next step was towards the reduction 
of the load under which his people labored. He succeeded 
in liquidating a large portion of the debt, freeing all in- 
stitutions except the Cathedral and Bishop's house, and 
this without loss to any of the creditors. The debt upon 
the Cathedral property was much less than its value, which 
constantly appreciated during the last fifteen years. 

But Bishop Tuigg spent his strength m the cares incum- 
bent upon his office. The weight of responsibility and his 
unceasing and arduous labors began to tell upon him phy- 
sically as early as 1881, when he was the victim of an 
attack of heart disease. Subsequently he was twice stricken 
with paralysis. During the last few years of his life he 
was an invalid, and spent most of his time in Altoona, the 
scene of his labors as parish priest. There he died in 
1889, after rendering services to his people, the value of 
which cannot be overestimated. 

Right Reverend Richard Phelan, who had been conse- 
crated Coadjutor to Bishop Tuigg in 1885, succeeded him, 
and was incumbent of the See until December twenty, 1904, 
when he died. Bishop Regis J. S. Cenevin, who had been 
consecrated Coadjutor February twenty-fourth, 1903, suc- 
ceeded as Bishop of the Diocese. 

In the past twenty years, embracing the period since 
the publication of the history of the Diocese by Rev. A. A. 
Lambing, the chief events relating to the Catholic Church 
in Pittsburgh are connected with the rapid growth of the 
Catholic population and consequent springing up of 
churches and schools. This truly remarkable increase is 
due chiefly, of course, to immigration. In the last twenty 
years Germans, Poles, Italians, Hungarians, etc., have come 
to Pittsburgh in large numbers, attracted hj the prospect 
of employment similar to that by which they earned a 

[ 350 ] 



THE CHURCHES 

scant livililiood in their native lands. The Germans are 
largely trades-people, though many are to be found in the 
iron and glass works. There are fourteen German churches, 
four being in Allegheny. The Poles and Hungarians work 
in the mines, as they did in their own countries. There 
are three Polish churches, all having large parish schools. 
The Bohemians, Slavonians, Croatians and Lithuanians 
have each a church. There is also a Greek church. Almost 
all of these nationalities are represented by other churches 
in Braddock, Homestead and McKeesport. 

The large Italian population finds employment as day 
laborers, stone masons, workers in plaster and stucco-work, 
fresco painters, etc. They are the best of masons and mix 
the best mortar, plaster and cement. There are a number 
of contractors among them, and many are street venders 
and small trades-people. There are two Italian churches, 
one on Webster street and the other in the East End on 
Meadow street. The Italian Catholics were first ministered 
to by priests of the Cathedral. As they increased in num- 
bers it became necessary to provide a separate church for 
them. Three secular Italian priests for awhile administered 
to their spiritual needs. These, however, came to this 
country only for a limited period, at the expiration of which 
St. Bonaventure's in Allegheny, N. Y., was called upon to 
fill their places. Italian Franciscans from Allegheny have 
since had charge of St. Peter's and Our Lady Help of 
Christians, the two Italian churches. 

A comparison of the Catholic Church in Pittsburgh as it 
was fifty years ago with present statistics may be of 
interest. 

Fifty years ago there were probably twenty-five thousand 
Catholics in the territory now contained within the limits 
of Pittsburgh and Allegheny. There were four churches 
in Pittsburgh: St. Paul's Cathedral, St. Patrick's, St. 
Philomena's and St. Michael's in Birmingham, now South 
Pittsburgh. In Allegheny there were two churches: St. 
Peter's and St. Mary's. Four or five of the churches had 
parish schools, and the Sisters of Mercy conducted an 
Academy for Young Ladies, besides the Mercy Hospital 
and St. Paul 's Orphan Asylum. 

[ 351 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

In 1851, Rt. Rev. Michael 'Conner was Bishop of the 
Diocese ; Very Rev. E. McMahon, Rector of the Cathedral ; 
Rev. E. F. Garland, St. Patrick's; Rev. Joseph Muller, 
C. SS. R., St. Philomena's; Rev. A. Schifferer, St. 
Michael's; Rev. John E. Masetizh, Vicar-General, and Rev. 
John Stiebel, Rector of St. Mary's, Allegheny. 

In the same territory there are fifty-three churches, 
twelve being in Allegheny, and thirty-nine parish schools, 
where are taught eighteen thousand two hundred and 
seventy-three children. The largest of these schools is 
St. Stanislaus', with nine hundred and sixty-three pupils, 
the smallest, St. Benedict the Moor's (colored), having a 
roll of sixty names. There are three orphan asylums, 
where nine hundred and thirteen orphans are sheltered 
and educated. Five private educational institutions with 
four hundred and nine scholars, two homes for the aged 
and infirm poor, caring for two hundred and twenty-four 
inmates, and three hospitals. 

The Pittsburgh College of the Holy Ghost was founded 
by the Very Reverend Joseph Strub, C. S. Sp., who was 
born in Strasburg in 1833. He worked in Africa, and was 
compelled to leave Germany when members of his order 
were expelled by Bismarck. The great demand for German 
priests in the Diocese of Pittsburgh brought him here, 
where he took charge of the Church of St. Mary's at 
Sharpsburg. Bishop Domenec strongly advised him to 
open a school in which the members of his order should 
instruct in the general academic branches combined with 
religious training. The school was opened at the corner 
of Wylie avenue and Federal street. The basement was 
occupied by a Scotch Presbyterian tailor, and a German 
Lutheran, who baked bread. The new Roman Catholic 
school occupied the second floor. This was, however, very 
uncomfortable, as there were no grounds for recreation, 
and when the College had increased to one hundred and 
twenty-four students. Father Strub purchased several lots 
on Bluff and Cooper streets. A new building was projected, 
and in 1884 the corner stone was laid by Bishop Phelan with 
great ceremony, and was ready for use the following year. 
The Very Reverend John T. Murphy, C. S. Sp., took charge 

[ 352 ] 



THE CHURCHES 

of the College in 1886, and continued until 1899. His work 
in organizing and augmenting the various courses added 
materially and rapidly to the growth of the College. 
Father Strub died in 1890, and was deeply mourned by 
the College. The corporation has acquired all the ad- 
jacent ground, and this has permitted it to have a much 
needed campus, and also to erect in 1894 a beautiful chapel. 
The Pittsburg College of the Holy Ghost extends all the 
influence and beneficial results that Father Strub could 
possibly have desired for it when he labored so untiringly 
in the little building on Federal street. 

When Bishop 'Conner took charge of the Diocese there 
were but two religious orders in the two cities, namely, the 
Sisters of Charity and the Redemptorist Fathers. Now 
there are nine orders of men and eleven orders of women 
by whom the above-enumerated institutions are conducted. 

Pittsburgh's ceaseless commercial activity finally led to 
the selling of the old Cathedral in 1901 for one million 
three hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. Bishop 
Canevin decided that to continue the location of the Cathe- 
dral down town was unwise, consequently ground was pur- 
chased on Fifth avenue, at Craig street. The corner stone 
was laid on the sixth of September, 1903, and the cost, with 
the interior furnishing, has amounted to one million three 
hundred thousand dollars. The building was finished 
during the Spring of 1906. This new, white, stately St. 
Paul 's Cathedral is an example of pure Gothic architecture, 
and has the arrangement of the double clerestory. The 
external length is two hundred and twenty-five feet and 
four inches ; the total interior length, two hundred and five 
feet and nine inches ; length of nave, exclusive of vestibules, 
one hundred and eighty-eight feet and nine inches; depth 
of sanctuary forty-four feet ; width of nave, forty-two feet 
and eight inches; length across transept, one hundred and 
thirty feet; height of vaulting in nave, seventy-six feet; 
height of vaulting in inner aisle, forty- four feet ; height in 
outer aisle, thirty-one feet and nine inches ; height of main 
gable, one hundred and ten feet and nine inches ; height of 
main tower, two hundred and forty-seven feet; height of 
transept towers, one hundred and thirty-five feet and seven 
23 [ 353 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

inches. But these mere figures do not tell of the beauty of 
this really splendid building. It is a many-windowed cathe- 
dral, and the windows form the only color scheme of the 
interior. Their beauty and themes are a paramount em- 
bellishment. There are twenty-one above the altars, and ten 
large wall windows, in addition to the immense window in 
the gable front over the Fifth avenue entrance, depicting the 
Worship of Praise. These windows have mainly been im- 
ported from England and Germany, and the coloring is in 
rich, dark tones, but when the sun shines they become a 
marvel of brilliancy. In one window is depicted the first 
Mass in Pittsburgh, which adds a quaint, historic touch to 
the Cathedral. It is a Mass on the bank of the Allegheny 
river, presumably at the beginning of the French and Indian 
war. 

This cathedral is said to be the equal of some of the 
old European cathedrals in beauty of exterior decora- 
tion. The structure is of Indiana limestone. There are 
seventeen chiseled stone statues on the outer walls repre- 
senting St. Paul, St. Mark, St. Luke and the Twelve Apos- 
tles, St. Gregory the Great, and St. Chrysostom. 

The front decoration is pre-eminently beautiful. Each 
division of the three-part main arched door-way is sur- 
rounded by clustered stone columns, and the ornamentation 
of the arches of the door-way consists of statues of the four 
Evangelists. On the lofty central pediment, forty feet high 
above the main door-way, is the patron of the cathedral, St. 
Paul, with the scroll of the Epistle in one hand and a sword 
in the other. 

The vestibule is located in the baptistery, towards the 
right, or in the tower. The baptistery is separated from the 
vestibule by a bronze railing and gate, which rest on a broad 
step of Numidian marble. Outside the baptistery railing 
and above it on the wall of the vestibule is a small bronze 
tablet two and one-half feet by eighteen inches, thus en- 
graved: " This Baptistery was erected to the memory of 
Right Reverend Michael 'Conner, First Bishop of Pitts- 
burgh, at the request of his third successor, Right Reverend 
Richard Phelan." The massive font is of Carrara marble, 
with bordered ornamentation. It arises from a cruciform 

[ 354 ] 



THE CHURCHES 

base, on a triple column. Three arms of the base are 
occupied by the figures, Faith, Hope, and Charity. The 
fourth supports the basin. On the front of the font is the 
Latin inscription ' ' Fons hie est Vita." On the mosaic floor 
streams of water are represented running to the four quar- 
ters of the earth. In the walls of the baptistery there are 
three beautiful windows relating to the sacrament ofi 
baptism. They fill the place with a deep rich tone of color 
that lends much to its churchliness and dignity. But the 
interior loveliness of this building is hard to describe. From 
the door-way the eye has a long unbroken view until it rests 
upon the exquisite main white marble altar of the sanctuary, 
arising to a height of thirty-seven feet. To the right and left 
is a forest of white columns, which support each clerestory. 
This, with the white marble chancel railing and the five 
white marble altars and the immense geometrical, white- 
starred ceiling, produce a peculiarly lovely effect, toned by 
the dark, rich windows, and the deep colored wood furnish- 
ings. All the altar furnishings are in perfect harmony 
with the rest of this splendid edifice, which will become the 
monument of Bishop J. S. Regis Canevin, the man who 
planned and through whose untiring effort the building of 
this cathedral has been accomplished. 

Trinity Church. 

The Trustees of the Congregation of the Protestant Epis- 
copal Church, of Pittsburgh, held realty in the town for ten 
years before there was a minister. 

By the deed executed on the twenty-fourth day of Septem- 
ber, 1787, '' John Penn, Junior and John Penn of the City 
of Philadelphia, Esquires, late proprietors of Pennsylvania, 
for a nominal consideration of five shillings current, lawful 
current money of Pennsylvania deeded two and one-half 
lots of ground to the Honorable John Gibson, Esq., John 
Ormsby, Devereux Smith and Dr. Nathaniel Bedford, all of 
of the town of Pittsburgh, in the county of Westmoreland, 
in Pennsylvania aforesaid. Trustees of the Congregation of 
the Episcopalian Protestant Church, commonly called the 
Church of England, in the said town of Pittsburgh, their 

[ 355 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBUEGH 

heirs and assigns forever, in trust nevertheless, for a site 
for a house of religious worship and burial place for the 
use of said religious society or congregation and their suc- 
cessors in the said town of Pittsburgh, to and for no other 
use, intent or purpose whatsoever. ' ' The deed was filed at 
the county seat, Greensburg; Allegheny county not having 
been erected until 1788. 

The land thus conveyed was used from the beginning as 
a burying ground, but not for thirty-seven years as the site 
of a church. 

These first four trustees of the church were men all in- 
timately associated with the history of the " wonderful 
country." Colonel John Gibson, called by the Indians 
' ' Horsehead Gibson, ' ' was commandant at one time of Fort 
Pitt. John Ormsby and Devereux Smith were both mer- 
chants of Pittsburgh, and Dr. Nathaniel Bedford, who came 
to the town about 1770, was the first physician in the dis- 
trict that is now Allegheny county. 

Ten years after the gift of land by the Penns, the few 
Episcopalians of the town desired the Eev. John Taylor to 
act as minister. Mr. Taylor was not educated for the min- 
istry, but took it up later under the influence of Wil- 
liam Cecil. The first services were held in the court 
house and in other places, both public and private. 
They continued to struggle on in this manner until 1805, 
when the corporation of Trinity Church was created by the 
Legislature under the name of the ' * minister, wardens and 
vestrymen of Trinity Church in Pittsburgh." Eev. John 
Taylor was the minister, Presley Neville and Samuel Eob- 
erts, wardens, and Nathaniel Smith, Joseph Barker, Jere- 
miah Barker, Nathaniel Eichardson, Nathaniel Bedford, 
Oliver Ormsby, George McGunnegle, George Eobinson, 
Eobert Magee, Alexander McLaughlin, William Cecil and 
Joseph Davis were the vestrj^men. A plot of ground was 
bought by this corporation, bounded by Wood street. Liberty ' 
avenue and Sixth avenue, on which they proceeded to erect ; 
an octagonal brick building. The comer stone was laid on the ) 
first of July, 1805, but this church was never consecrated, as \ 
no bishop visited Pittsburgh until Bishop White came in i 
1825. To meet the expenditure, the usual expedient of the \ 

[ 356 ] 




FIRST TRINITY CHURCH. 



THE CHURCHES 

time, a lottery, was resorted to. In the Pittsburgh Gazette 
of March, 1808, Anthony Beelen advertised these lottery 
tickets for sale at his shop on Front street, now First ave- 
nue, the highest prize being ten thousand dollars, the tickets 
selling for one dollar and a half. This " Old Round 
Church," as it came to be called, had forty-two high-back 
pews, similar to those of churches of that period, besides 
the gallery. Those in the two front rows were square as 
well as high-backed, and were especially attractive, accord- 
ing to childish notions, since they afforded more oppor- 
tunity for play. If there was an evening service, candles 
were the only light. The church was extremely poor, and 
*' Father " Taylor, as he was lovingly called, struggled 
with this condition as well as his personal poverty. He 
opened a school for boys, and he did some astronomical cal- 
culating for Mr. Cramer for his almanac. He continued as 
rector of Trinity Church for twenty years, and was suc- 
ceeded by the Rev. Abiel Carter, who stayed until 1820, and 
then the church was without a rector for a short time, until 
the Rev. William Thompson took charge, in 1821, and con- 
tinued until 1824. Then the pulpit was again vacant, and 
various men were called to fill it, but the place seemed to 
offer little that was attractive to the men they desired to 
have, and so John Henry Hopkins, Esquire, a young lawyer, 
and a very active member of the church, volunteered to act 
as lay reader, and obtained a license from Bishop White. 
The work came to appeal to him so strongly that he gave 
up his quite considerable practice, and was ordained deacon 
in 1824, and at once assumed the duties of rector of Trinity. 
This man's wonderful vitality brought the poor, struggling 
little church to life. He vigorously set about the plan for a 
new church to be built on the land donated by the Penns. 
He acted as architect. He was practically superintendent 
of the building, and on the twelfth of June, 1825, the church 
was consecrated by Bishop White. The tower was not built, 
however, for a year or two. The church moved rapidly 
forward, growing large and very vigorous, and so remark- 
able was the work of this young man that two years later 
he was called to St. Stephen's in New York. This he re- 
fused, but in 1830, he yielded to the invitation from Trinity 

[ 357 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBURGH 

Church, Boston, and went there as assistant minister. 
In 1832, he was made the first bishop of Vermont. The 
work of Bishop Hopkins in Pittsburgh, as rector, as school- 
master, and as citizen, leaves the succeeding generations 
his debtors. 

The Rev. Mr. Kemper and Rev. Mr. Brunot each officiated 
in the church for a short time until the Rev. George Upf old 
was called, and entered on his duties as rector in October, 
1831. Rev. Dr. Upfold continued as rector for eighteen 
years, when he became Bishop of Indiana. Then the church 
came into the charge of the Rev. Dr. Lyman, who, later in 
his life, was so well known in Rome. In 1860 Mr. Swope 
came to the church, but was not rector; it was hoped for two 
years that Dr. Lyman might return, but when his ultimate 
decision was known Mr. Swope was made rector. In 1867, 
he resigned to go to Trinity Church, New York. 

Dr. Scarborough took charge through the following seven 
years, and, on being elected to the Bishopric of New Jersey, 
was succeeded by Rev. William A. Hitchcock, who served 
the church for eight years, and then came the Rev. Samuel 
Maxwell, who resigned in 1890. The present rector. Dr. 
Alfred W. Arundel, came in 1891, and' the church under his 
ministration, through the wise generosity of John H, Shoen- 
berger, took a step forward that made an epoch in its 
history. Mr. Schoenberger bequeathed to Trinity parish 
an endowment of one hundred thousand dollars on condition 
that daily services should be instituted, and that the seats of 
the church should be free. Large as this benefaction of Mr. 
Schoenberger 's was, it has been no small task to meet the 
heavy expenditures of such a parish as Trinity, for the 
income from Mr. Schoenberger 's bequest covers practically 
only what he designed it to cover, the expense of the daily 
services and the pew rents. 

Trinity parish is the mother church in the diocese of 
Pittsburgh, but there are to-day many other large and 
flourishing Protestant Episcopal churches. St. Andrew's, 
the second church, was organized in 1837, but the same thing 
happened in Pittsburgh that has happened in many other 
cities, the down-town churches were being deserted, and St. 
Andrew's has rebuilt on Euclid avenue in the East End, a 
splendid new church, dedicated in the Spring of 1906. 

[ 358 ] 



THE CHURCHES 

St. Peter's Church, on the corner of Grant street and 
Diamond alley, erected in 1851, was removed to the comer of 
Forbes street, and Craft avenue, within the last few years. 

Calvary Church, in East Liberty, held sole sway in that 
little district for many years, and has grown with its 
growth, and there strong and wise men have ministered to 
those under their charge. The first meeting of the congre- 
gation was held January twenty-third, 1855. For many 
years the Rev. Boyd Vincent, now Bishop of Southern Ohio, 
was the beloved rector of the church. He was followed by 
the Rev. George Hodges, now Dean of the Theological Semi- 
nary, of Cambridge, and dear are the memories of those 
who lived in the parish during his rectorship, for he led not 
only his parish, but in almost all the civic movements that 
made for the bettermen of his fellow human beings. 

Dr. Hodges was followed by Rev. Dr. William D. Maxon, 
now rector of Christ Church, Detroit. The present rector, 
Rev. James H. McHvaine, will install the congregation in a 
splendid new Calvary Church, which is being built on the 
corner of Shady avenue and Walnut street. This will be a 
massive affair when the church and the parish house are 
entirely completed. It is estimated that the cost will reach 
five hundred thousand dollars. 

Christ Church in Allegheny, under the care of the Rev. 
Robert Meech, D. D., has also a history intrinsically inter- 
esting to the members, as well as the other fourteen 
churches of Pittsburgh and Allegheny, but it is only pos- 
sible to give the history of the first Episcopal Church of 
Pittsburgh. 

The diocese of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Pitts- 
burgh was organized in 1865, and the Right Reverend John 
Barrett Kerfoot, D. D., LL. D., became the first bishop. 
The second bishop, the Right Reverend Cortland White- 
head, D. D,, presides over a diocese to which Pittsburgh 
and Allegheny contribute thirty-one parishes and missions. 

FiEST Presbyterian Church. 

The fifth meeting of the Redstone Presbytery was held 
in Buffalo, Penn., Tuesday, the thirteenth of April, 1784. 

[ 359 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

After the usual exercises the Presbytery proceeded to ap- 
point supplies to such places as had made application; 
in the list was Pittsburgh. This is the first mention of the 
place in the annals of the Redstone Presbytery. " It ap- 
pears that Mr. Smith was the first member of the Presby- 
tery sent to preach the gospel there, on the fourth of Au- 
gust, 1784. The Rev. Messrs. Beatty and Duffield had been 
there in 1766, during their missionary tour, in pursuance of 
an appointment by the Synod of New York and Philadel- 
phia, and found the people living, as Mr. Beatty states in 
his Journal, ' in some kind of a town. ' ' ' When Mr. Smith 
first carried the gospel there, as the messenger of the Red- 
stone Presbytery, it is probable the number of inhabitants 
did not exceed four hundred. There was, however, no 
regular congregation and no place of worship. In 1785, the 
Rev. Samuel Barr took charge of the people who desired to 
form a regular congregation. In this same year a bill was 
introduced into the Legislative Assembly, at Philadelphia, 
to incorporate a " Presbyterian Congregation in Pitts- 
burgh, at this time under the care of the Rev. Samuel 
Barr," which, after much delay, was finally passed on the 
twenty-ninth of September, 1787. The Penns gave the site 
for this church, as they did for the Episcopal and German 
Evangelical churches. 

'^ This indenture, made the twenty-fourth Day of Sep- 
tember, in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hun- 
dred and eighty-seven. Between the Honorable John Penn, 
Junior, and John Penn, of the City of Philadelphia, in the 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Esquires, late Proprie- 
taries of Pennsylvania, of the one Part, And The Trustees 
of the Presbyterian Congregation of Pittsburgh and the 
vicinity thereof, in the County of Westmorland, in Penn- 
sylvania aforesaid, of the other part, Witnesseth : That the 
said John Penn, Junior, and John Penn, as well for and in 
Consideration of the laudable Inclination which they have 
for encouraging and promoting Morality, Piety, and Re- 
ligion in genral, and more especially in the town of Pitts- 
burgh as of the sum of Five Shillings, Current Money of 
Pennsylvania unto them in hand paid by the said Trustees 

[ 360 ] 



THE CHURCHES 

of the Presbyterian Congregation of Pittsburgh and the 
Vicinity thereof, at and before the Sealing and Delivery 
hereof, the Eeceipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have 
given, granted, bargained, sold, released and confirmed, 
And by these Presents Do give, grant, bargain, sell, release 
and confirm unto the said Trustees of the Presbyterian 
Congregation at Pittsburgh and the vicinit}^ thereof, in the 
County of Westmoreland, their Successors and Assigns, 
Two Certain whole Lots or pieces of Ground and the one full 
equal half part of a Lot or piece of Ground, lying con- 
tiguous to each other, situate in the Town of Pittsburgh, 
containing in Breadth, on the whole, One Hundred and Fifty 

Feet and in Length or Depth feet (The said 

two whole Lots marked in Colonel Woods' Plan of the said 
Town, Nos. 439 and 438, and the said half Lot is part of No. 
437). Bounded southeastward by the remainder of said 
Lot 437, conveyed for the Use of the Episcopal Church; 
northeastward, by Sixth street; northwestward, by vacant 
Lot No, 440 ; and southwestward, by Virgin alley, Together 
with all and singular the Right, Members and Appur- 
tenances whatsoever thereunto belonging or in any way 
appertaining; To have and to hold the said two whole Lots 
and the said half Lot or pieces of Ground, Hereditaments 
and Premises hereby granted or mentioned, to be granted 
with the Appurtenances unto the said Trustees of Presby- 
terian Congregation of Pittsburgh and the vicinity thereof, 
in the County of Westmoreland, their Successors and As- 
signs, To the only proper Use, Benefit and Behoof of the 
said Trustees of the Presbyterian Congregation at Pitts- 
burgh and the vicinity thereof, their Successors and As- 
signs forever, according to the true Intent and Meaning of 
an Act of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania aforesaid, enacted into a Law the twentieth 
day of September, instant, entitled 'An Act to Incorporate 
the Presbyterian Congregation at Pittsburgh and the vicin- 
ity thereof, at this time under the Pastoral Care of the 
Reverend Samuel Barr ; ' and to and for no other use, intent 
or purpose whatsoever. 
*' In Witness thereof, the said Parties have interchange- 

r 361 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBURGH 

ably set their Hands and Seals hereunto. Dated the Day 
and Year above written. 

'' John Penn, Jun. (l. s.) 
' ' Sealed and delivered by the said 

" John Penn, Junior, , 

" In presence of 

" Peter Miller, 
'^ John Spooner. 

'' John Penn. (l. s.) 
' " Sealed and delivered by the said 

" John Penn, 
" In presence of 

^' John T. Mifelin, 
" Peter Miller. » 

^' Be it remembered, That on the twenty-fourth Day of 
September, A., D., 1787, Before me, George Bryan, being 
one of the Supreme Court of the State of Pennsylvania, 
came Peter Miller, of the City of Philadelphia, Gent, and 
upon his solemn affirmation according to Law, did say that 
he was present and did see the above named John Penn, 
Junior, and John Penn, Esqs., seal and as their act and 
Deed deliver the above written Indenture, And that he did 
also see John Spooner and John T, MifiQin subscribe their 
names as witnesses to the Execution thereof; And that the 
name Peter Miller, thereunto also subscribed as witness to 
the Execution thereof, is his own Handwriting. 

'' Witness my hand and Seal, the Day and Year afore- 
said. 

'' Geo. Bryan, (l. s.)" 

This deed was executed to ten trustees, John Withers, 
Robert Galbraith, Stephen Bayard, Alexander Fowler, 
George Wallace, David Duncan, Adamson Tannehill, John 
Gibson, Richard Butler and Isaac Craig. 

On this land the Presbyterian Congregation proceeded to 
erect the first Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh. The 
building committee was John Wilkins, Mr. Wallace and 
Major Isaac Craig. The church was of '' moderate dimen- 
sions and squared timber." Rev. Mr. Barr purchased the 
contiguous lot, No. 440, with private means; this lot came 

[ 362 ] 



PLAN OF PEWS EM OLD LOG CHURCH* 

WITH PEWHOLDERS. 

1801. 

SIXTH STREET. 



i 
s 

i 
< 


J.ltN. 


Pl-LPIT. 


1 

>-5 




li 


S 
& 

s 


3 

a 
i 


i 


33 34 35 30 37 38 
32 31 




1 


2 3 4 5 6 

8 7 


1 

1 

4 


i 

si 

i 


Geo. Stevenson. 


30 9 
29 10 
28 11 
27 12 
2li 13 
25 14 
24 15 
23 16 
22 17 


Steel Semple. 




i 

1 


Jas. Robinson. 


G 


McGonigle. 


Jno. VVilkins, Jr. 


David Pride. 


Jno. Woods. 


W 


n. Anderson. 




Ja 


mes Riddle. 




Jos. McCuUy. 




Robt. Smith. 








Tboe. ColUna. 


Wm. Morrow. 


21 18 
20 IS 




And. RicharasoD. 




Alex. Addison. 



VIRGIN ALLEY 

Whole number of Pews ^8 

Number rented in 1801 31 

Highest Pew Rent $12.00 

Lowest Pew Kent 9.00 

*The pl»n ineerted has been eubstituUMi for thai dmwu according to Mrs. Way's 
meiDory, m somewhat more oumpl^te. and oooompauied by a liat of ixiwholder^ It is 
tbe work of his Honor Judge Addifloa. aod wab dmwo in IHOl.— 3. F. B, 



THE CHURCHES 

into the holding of the church in 1802, and greatly enhanced 
the value of the property. Mr. Barr's pastoral relation, 
however, was not happy and was dissolved in June, 1789 ; 
from that time until 1800 the pulpit was filled by occasional 
supplies ; the condition of the church at the end of the cen- 
tury has been described as " faint, yet pursuing." 

Rev. Robert Steele held the pastorate for the next three 
years, under rather extraordinary conditions, which led in 
the October of 1803 to the following petition: " To the 
Reverend Synod, now sitting in the borough of Pittsburgh, 
(this memorial) most humbly showeth: 

' ' That we, the subscribers, being appointed by a number 
of our brethren, either already united to the Presbyterian 
Church or desirous of being so united, as becometh the gen- 
eral supporters of the Christian cause, do represent that we 
have not united in the call of the Rev. Robert Steele as 
Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, but that 
nevertheless, being adverse to a separation if it could be 
avoided consistently with spiritual advantage, did for some 
time attend the preaching of the said reverend gentleman, 
and most of us did subscribe to his support, but finding no 
kind of spiritual advantage, have long since withdrawn 
and are now as sheep without a sheperd. We bring forward 
no charges against Mr. Steele or any member of said church, 
considering that if even sufficient should exist, this is not 
our present object, but assure the Reverend Synod that our 
present object is to receive the immediate benefits of what 
we deem to be a Gospel Ministry. 

*' James Morrison, 
" Wm. Barrett, 
" Wm. Semple, 
'' Wm. Gazzam." 

There is a tradition to the effect that the trouble " origi- 
nated in the crime of giving out to be sung two lines of a 
stanza, instead of the time-honored one." A year later the 
separation was accomplished and the Second Presbyterian 
Church of Pittsburgh dates from October fourth, 1804. 

On the twenty-first of December, 1801, a congregational 
meeting was called to erect a new church building. By 

[ 363 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

February nineteenth, 1802, the subscription had reached 
$2,400. On March twenty-second, 1802, it had been resolved 
to build of brick, forty-four feet in width and fifty in length, 
exclusive of the steeple, which, however, was never com- 
pleted. An admirable building committee, Messrs. Isaac 
Craig, Ebenezer Denny, and Alexander Addison, were ap- 
pointed managers to '' contract and carry on the building." 
It was finished, as shown by advertisements for renting 
pews, in 1805. The church in 1806 was in financial diffi- 
culty, and following the approved method of the time a 
lottery was resorted to. The Gazette, of January twenty- 
seventh, 1808, contains an advertisement which is an- 
nounced as ''A scheme of lottery for raising part of the 
sum of $3,000 for defraying the expenses of finishing the 
Presbyterian Church in the Borough of Pittsburgh." The 
advertisement sets forth the fact that there are seven hun- 
dred and eighty prizes out of a total of two thousand three 
hundred tickets, the capital prize being one thousand dol- 
lars. All are to be subjected to a discount of twenty per 
cent., and '' those not demanded within twelve months will 
be considered as being relinquished in favor of the church." 
The advertisement further says : 

<< The great encouragement and advantages this scheme 
holds out to adventurers are very evident. The prizes are 
generally large, and for a small sum, which almost any man 
can conveniently spare, he puts himself in the way of 
fortune. The managers have every reason to believe that 
the tickets will sell rapidly and with pleasure inform the 
public that a large number are already bespoke, and from 
present appearance they will be able to commence drawing 
on the eighteenth of April next. ' ' 

John Wilkins, John Johnston, and William Porter were 
named as the managers of the lottery. Tickets could be 
procured from Isaac Craig, James O'Hara, James Riddle, 
James Irwin, James Gibson, Steele Semple, Phillip Gilland, 
Thomas Baird, William Anderson, William Steele, William 
McCullough, E. Denny, Boyle Irwin, John Irwin, Alexander 
Laughlin, John Darragh, James B. Clow, William Wilkins, 
Alexander Johnston, James Adams, Robert Spencer, An- 
drew Willock, George Robinson, William McCandless, 

[ 364 ] 



^jS*' 




THE CHURCHES 

Robert Knox, James Robinson, William Woods, John Fin- 
ley, James Semple, George Sutton, Henry Fulton, Alex- 
ander Hill, Jacob Negley, William Fulton, Jacob Beltz- 
hoover, William Graham, Peter Mowry, and Thomas Jones. 

According to the written statement of one of the elders, 
Judge J. M. Snowden, made in 1839, the " lottery business 
resulted in a complete failure. It brought no aid to the 
funds of the congregation, but tended rather to increase 
their difficulties." 

In the Spring of 1811 Reverend Francis Herron became 
the pastor of the First Church, which the year before had 
had a membership of sixty-five. Dr. Herron 's salary was 
six hundred dollars per annum. For thirty-nine years he 
labored ceaselessly and wisely for the church and congre- 
gation. In 1817 the church was enlarged, and the member- 
ship steadily increased, being four hundred and twenty- 
nine in 1832. In 1850 Dr. Herron allowed Reverend Wil- 
liam Paxton to take the work out of his hands, though for 
ten years longer his beneficent presence graced the church. 
In 1853 a handsome new building was erected. Dr. Paxton 
continued as pastor until 1865. This, of course, included 
the war period. The church did the part allotted to her 
generously, and the work of the various societies of women 
contributed largely. Dr. Sylvester F. Scoville was pastor 
from 1866 until 1883 and was followed by Dr. Kellogg, a 
man of great erudition. After three years, however, Dr. 
Kellogg went to India to do special work for which he was 
so eminently fitted, and there came to an untimely end. In 
1886 came Rev. George T. Purves. For six years this great 
teacher and preacher filled the First Church to overflowing 
with eager listeners and learners. To the great sorrow of 
his congregation Dr. Purves thought it his duty to accept a 
Chair in Princeton. Dr. Moffatt supplied for three years, 
but never became pastor of the church. Dr. David R. Breed, 
one of Pittsburgh's own sons, was pastor from 1894 until 
1898. During the Spring of 1899, the present pastor, the 
Rev. Maitland Alexander, D. D., took the charge. Very 
many events have occurred throughout these last seven 
years which mark an epoch in the history of the First Pres- 
byterian Church. The trustees of the church, were, of 

[ 365 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

course, prohibited from selling the lots bestowed upon them 
by John Penn, Jr., and John Penn in perpetuity for re- 
ligious purposes, but they found it possible to lease this 
land for the extreme limit of years allowable in Pennsyl- 
vania. Accordingly, in 1903, the church was pulled down 
and the dead taken from their graves. The new church, 
sumptuous in beauty, was erected on Sixth avenue as the 
immediate neighbor of Trinity Church. Nothing has ever 
interfered with the continuous growth of this church. Its 
story is one of long uninterrupted progress. Under Dr. 
Herron's charge, in 1840, it responded ardently to that so- 
called religious wave that swept over the country. Many 
were added to the list of members at this time. That was, 
of course, an outburst of religious feeling, but this church 
has lived through a long period of being a down-town 
church, whose members are scattered throughout the 
suburbs of the entire city and it still prospers. Its totals 
are written in figures of six places, and it supports mis- 
sionaries not only in Pittsburgh, but in Siam and the Philip- 
pines. 

Second Presbyterian Church. 

The Second Presbyterian Church was organized, as has 
been noted, in 1804, by those members of the First Church 
to whom the methods used, regarding the services in the 
First Church, were unsatisfactory. The next year Dr. 
Nathaniel Snowden took charge of the congregation which 
worshiped, as the other congregations had worshiped at 
times, in the Court House and other places, public and 
private. Dr. John Boggs came but remained only a short 
time. He was replaced by the Rev. Mr. Hunt, in 1809. The 
first edifice, on Diamond alley, near Smithfield street, was 
build in 1814. Dr. Elisha P. Swift, well known through his 
connection with the Western University, was the pastor 
from 1819 to 1833. The Rev. Mr. Blythe came but stayed 
only three years, and it was during the pastorate of Mr. 
John Dunlap (1837-47), that the new church was built. It 
was into a lecture-room in this church, on the night of June 
sixth, 1850, that '' Demented Kelley " rode on horseback, 
and to the startled congregation at a preparatory service, 

[ 366 ] 



THE CHURCHES 

shouted ' ' I come this time on a black horse but I will come 
next on a red. ' ' That night flames demolished the church ; it 
was, however, rebuilt on the same site, and used until the 
congregation removed to their new church building on the 
corner of Penn avenue and Seventh street, August twenty- 
third, 1858. This church was used throughout the following 
forty-six years, that is, until 1904, when the sale was accom- 
plished for five hundred thousand dollars. Three hundred 
and forty thousand dollars of this money has been used as 
an endowment fund; the balance, with donations which 
amounted to about one hundred and ninety thousand dol- 
lars, bought and remodeled the Jewish Synagogue on 
Eighth street, which has since February fifth, 1905, been 
the Second Presbyterian Church. This building is capable 
of seating one thousand persons. The pastors of this 
church have been : Dr. William D. Howard, 1849-76 ; Rev. 
M. W. Scott Stiles, 1877-79 ; Dr. William McKibben, 1880- 
88; Dr. John M. Sutherland, 1888-93; Frank Dewitt Tal- 
mage, D. D., 1894-97; the present pastor, the Rev. S. Ed- 
ward Young, was installed in 1898. There are fourteen 
elders, twenty-two deacons and one thousand seven hundred 
and sixty communicants. The largest work of the church 
is outside its own walls. Frequently during the summer it 
conducts three park services with an average attendance at 
the combined services of probably twelve thousand, and 
from November first to April first it conducts services in 
one of the largest theatres, with an average attendance of 
about three thousand. The church is thoroughly organized, 
and through its Sunday school and various societies for 
Christian work, is one of the most vigorous and active 
churches of the city. 

Third Presbyterian Church. 

The Third Presbyterian Church, one of the prominent 
churches of the city, was organized in March, 1833, by a 
little company of thirty-six persons (eighteen families), 
nearly all of whom were members of the First Presbyterian 
Church, and one Richard Edwards, an elder in that church. 
Rev. Dr. Herron, pastor of the First Church, was unselfishly 

[ 367 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

active in forwarding the movement, although it took away 
from his congregation many of the most active and useful 
members. The new church called as its first pastor Rev. 
D. H. Riddle, who filled the position for twenty-four j^ears. 
A lot was purchased on the corner of Ferry and Third 
streets, and a church sixty-seven by ninety-seven feet was 
built of brick, two stories in height, surmounted by an 
octagonal drum and belfry supporting a tall conical spire. 
The total height from the street was one hundred and sixty- 
three feet. The main auditorium seated nine hundred per- 
sons. This building was destroyed by fire June first, 1863. 
Another lot on the corner of Sixth avenue and Cherry alley 
was purchased and a large and fine edifice built of stone, in 
the Romanesque style of architecture. The whole building, 
including the chapel, had a front of one hundred and three 
feet and depth of one hundred and ninety-seven feet. The 
main auditorium seated twelve hundred persons. It was 
dedicated November twenty-ninth, 1868, the first pastor. 
Dr. Riddle, delivering one of the addresses. The most 
notable event connected with this church was the reunion 
of the Old School and New School, branches into which the 
Presbyterian Church had been divided in 1837, each branch 
having had, since that time, its own separate organization. 
After long and careful consideration the General Assembly 
of each branch met in Pittsburgh in November, 1869, to 
consummate the reunion. On the morning of the twelfth 
each Assembly met, the Old School in the First Presby- 
terian Church and the New School in the Third Presby- 
terian Church, a few blocks away. At the hour of ten the 
New School body first left their house and marched in 
double file down Sixth avenue to Wood street. As they 
turned the corner into Wood, the head of the column stood 
opposite the First Church. This was the signal for the 
Old School body to move out in a parallel column with the 
other body along Wood street, also in double file. The 
marshals and their aids, at the head of the two columns, 
had no little difficulty in clearing the streets. Besides the 
crowds which thronged the sidewalks and filled doors and 
windows, the broad avenue was a jam of eager spectators. 
Waving of handkerchiefs and shouts of applause greeted 

[ 368 ] 




THIED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, CORNER THIRD AND FERRY STREETS; 
BUILT 1833. 



THE CHURCHES 

the rare procession. The Iron City was electrified. The 
magnetism of such a movement was attractive beyond any 
parallel. It was confined to no denomination. The heart of 
the people was stirred. The two Moderators, who headed 
their respective columns, approached each other and shook 
hands with a will. This was a sign for all who followed, 
and the pairs all through the ranks parted, crossed over 
and paired anew, the Old and New grasping each other's 
hands, with welcomes and thanksgivings, and sometimes 
with tears. The united processions marched back to the 
Third Church. As the head of the column entered the 
church the choir and organ broke out with the grand old 
jubilee hymn, '' Blow ye the trumpet blow, the gladly 
solemn sound." After the delegates were seated the doors 
were opened and all available space was quickly filled with 
spectators. Other hymns were sung, prayers offered, and 
appropriate addresses delivered. It was a most remark- 
able meeting for deep feeling and enthusiasm, in which the 
audience participated as well as the Assembly Delegates. 
Thus was consummated the reunion into one body of these 
two divisions ; one of the most important events in the his- 
tory of the Presbyterian Church in America, and of great 
interest to the people of Pittsburgh. 

During 1890 to 1895 the church declined in numbers and 
strength, owing to the removal of many families to the East 
End and other points at a distance from the church. Be- 
cause of this, it was decided to remove the church to the 
East End. A lot was bought on the corner of Fifth and 
South Negley avenues, and a large church, one of the finest 
in the city, erected there. The style chosen was the Gothic, 
the shape of the main auditorium cruciform, and the ma- 
terial sandstone, yellowish brown, with light Indiana lime- 
stone trimmings. The inside walls are finished in stone 
similar to the outside. The woodwork is oak, with an orna- 
mented timber ceiling, no false work or stucco being used. 
The church was finished and dedicated November first, 
1903. There was immediately a large increase in attend- 
ance, and within a year all pews, except some in the gal- 
leries, were rented. The main auditorium seats fourteen 
hundred. The total value of buildings and lot is about 
five hundred thousand dollars. 
24 [ 369 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

The church has been very successful from the start. 
Within a few years after its organization it became one 
of the strong and influential churches of the city, and main- 
tained that position ever since. Present membership (com- 
municants), nine hundred and sixty. 

The pastors of the church have been: Rev. David H. 
Riddle, 1834-57 ; Rev. Henry Kendall, 1858-61 ; Rev. Her- 
rick Johnson, 1863-67; Rev. Frederick A. Noble, 1869-75; 
Rev. S. H. Kellogg, D. D., July, 1877, to October, 1877 ; Rev. 
Charles L. Thompson, 1879-82; Rev. Edward Payson 
Cowan, D. D., 1882-93; William L. McEwan, 1894- 



East Liberty Presbyterian Church. 

This church has one of the largest, if not the largest, list 
of communicants among the Presbyterian churches of Pitts- 
burgh and Allegheny. Like all the others, whose history 
has been traced, its beginning was small. It was, how- 
ever, due more essentially to one family, the Negleys, than 
. , |, any other church. Mr. Jacob Negley, whose wife had been 

'-'^w^^^'I'^'Wtfti' a Miss Winebiddle,. and consequently, inherited much real 
nlMl-'^i'^^t estate, controlled practically what is now known as East 
Liberty Valley, in the early days, called Negleystown. He 
was largely instrumental, if not entirely so, in erecting a 
I small frame school building at what subsequently became 
the corner of Penn and South Highland avenues. This was 
for the accommodation of the children of the district, as 
well as his own. It was, of course, a long distance to the 
then established churches, and Mr. Negley very often, for 
the benefit of the neighborhood, invited some minister pass- 
ing through, or one from one of the other churches, to 
preach in his own house and later in the school house. In 
1819 the little school house was torn down, to make way 
for a church building, which was also to be used as a lecture 
room. By this time the people who met together had as- 
sumed somewhat the appearance of a congregation, and 
Mrs. Negley conveyed two acres of land to extend the prop- 
erty adjoining the new church building to the East Liberty 
Presbyterian congregation. A subscription was imme- 

[ 370 ] 



,t^»,w. 



THE CHURCHES 

diately made, which finally amounted to one thousand seven 
hundred and thirty-five dollars and sixty-two and one-half 
cents. This, however, did not meet the expenditure, and Mr. 
and Mrs. Negley contributed largely to the building fund. 
The edifice erected was of brick, forty-four feet square, 
which was quite pretentious for that time. There was, how- 
ever, no pastor, which state of affairs continued until Feb- 
ruary of 1828, when the Board of Missions commanded the 
Rev. Jolm Joyce to publish the Gospel and administer its 
ordinances in the neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pa., " at his 
discretion." The congregation was incorporated in 1847, 
and the same year began the erection of the new church 
building. This church, in 1888, was too small for the con- 
gregation, and the present building was erected; massive 
and impressive, built of dark gray stone which tones 
peculiarly well with the slate of the slanting roofs. The 
Rev. Mr. Mcllvaine, who succeeded the first pastor, con- 
tinued to keep that position for forty years. His successors 
have been the Rev. John Gillespie, D. D. ; Rev. Benjamin 
L. Agnew, D. D. ; the Rev. J. P. E. Kumler, and the present 
pastor, the Rev. Dr. Sneed. The East Liberty Presbyterian 
Church has been mother to the Point Breeze Church, the 
Highland Presbyterian, the Tabernacle Presbyterian, the 
Valley View Church, and also the Sixth United Presby- 
terian Church, on Highland avenue. The great work of tlie 
church, however, has been in the field of missions, the entire 
support of nmnerous missions being from this organization. 
The population of the Shady Side district increased so 
rapidly after the spring of 1861, that in a very short time 
Mr. Thomas Aiken and Mr. W. B. Negley, both members of 
the East Liberty Church, but who resided in Shady Side, 
decided that a Sunday school for their own and the children 
of the vicinity would be beneficial. Out of the Sunday 
school, which was then organized, the Presbyterian church, 
in Shady Side, on the corner of Amberson avenue and 
Westminster Place, has grown. The original incorporators 
were : W. B. Negley, Joanna B. Negley, David Aiken, Jr., 
Callie J. Aiken, John A. Renshaw, M. A. Renshaw, Amanda 
Scully, Annie Kennedy, M. J. Chambers, E. A. Chambers, 
J. A. Chambers, Kate Negley, Louise M. Dilworth, Thomas 

[ 371 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Aiken, Eliza J. Aiken, E. M. Aiken, Mary McGuffey, Mary 
S. Denniston, William G. Johnston, Sarah M. Johnston, 
Olivia Chambers, Sarah E. Cox. 

At the present time in Pittsburgh and Allegheny, the 
Presbyterian churches, chapels, and missions number no 
less than fifty-one. This is entirely exclusive of other 
branches of Presbyterianism. When considering what the 
total output from fifty-one such institutions may be, a 
general summary is practically impossible. First, of 
course, always the good of the individual, then the com- 
munity, then to those far-extended fields, where, it is the 
general belief, the less fortunate dwell. The influence of 
this church upon all these classes cannot be calculated. 

First United Presbyterian Church. 

The subject of the Scotch-Irish in Pittsburgh might also 
be the title of the volume, so numerous have they been and 
so marked are all the achievements of the city by their 
characteristics. They came to be free. They were a people 
who were used to struggling with the sea and soil for their 
life ; they were determined and they were enduring. They 
were a splendid basic stock for the making of a town, but 
whatever their defects and perfections, they were religious 
— intensely religious. It is necessary only to look into the 
history of the British Isles to become imbued with this 
idea. The Episcopal congregation owned ground for 
years before they erected a church building. This was 
not the case with the Presbyterians, who had, as has been 
said, immediately erected a rude square room they desig- 
nated church. Naturally, people of such emphatic feelings 
and inclinations, ungoverned by the strong organization of 
Rome, failed to yield to one general concurrent opinion re- 
garding form and method, consequently there are several 
distinct branches under the generic term '' Presbyterian." 

The First United Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh 
was formed on the twenty-sixth day of May, 1858, in the 
City Hall. This was the union of the Associate and Asso- 
ciate Reformed Churches. It was a matter of great re- 
joicing among the people concerned in it. The Associate 

[ 372 ] 



THE CHURCHES 

Church of North America was part of the Associate Church 
of Scotland, made in 1733 by the secession from the Church 
of Scotland, and often denominated the Seceder Church. 
The Reformed Presbyterian, or Covenanter Church, had 
organized a Presbytery in this country in 1774. In 1782 a 
number of Associate Churches united with a number of the 
Reformed Churches, under the title Associate Reformed 
Presbyterian Church. However, not all the Reformed Pres- 
byterians nor all the Associate Presbyterians came into 
this union, therefore there were three churches until the 
next union in 1858, before mentioned. 

The organization of the congregation which constitutes the 
First United Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, came about 
at a meeting of the Presbytery of Chartiers, at Buffalo, Pa., 
November, 1831, when a petition was presented from Pitts- 
burgh and Turtle Creek for a preacher, consequently the 
Rev. David McLean was sent to Pittsburgh to preside at 
the election of elders. The list of these men may not be 
exact, but the Rev. Dr. Reid states it is probable that they 
were James Young, James Aiken, Thomas May, and James 
Glover. At this meeting the Rev. Ebenezer Henderson was 
called. He came and remained two years. There was no 
church during his pastorate, and after he left, until 1808, 
there was no pastor in charge of the congregation. This 
year, however, marks the real beginning of this church, for 
it brought to Pittsburgh the Rev. Robert Bruce, who had 
charge of Turtle Creek as well. The church, under his 
leadership, with the growth of the town, moved forward 
and secured a lot on the corner of Seventh avenue and 
Cherry alley. The deed for this lot was made on April 
fourteenth, 1810, by William Woods, sheriff of Allegheny 
county, to John Keating, James Boyle, William Ralston, 
William Bennett, and James Young, trustees of the Asso- 
ciate Congregation of Pittsburgh, for the sum of five hun- 
dred and fifty dollars. The church was built of brick, but 
its walls were unplastered and the pews not painted; the 
pulpit was supported by rude square posts. It was finished 
in 1813. Despite its lack of loveliness, it filled the need 
and the desires of the congregation and they immediately 
demanded that Mr. Bruce 's sole time should be given to 

[ 373 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Pittsburgh. This they accomplished. Five years later 
found the congregation in grievous trouble, because Dr. 
Bruce '' lined out " two lines instead of one. It went so 
far that certain members of the congregation sent a petition 
to the Synod, and still later they found more fault with Dr. 
Bruce. Under a dreadful " whereas " in the minutes of 
the Presbytery may be seen to-day this paragraph: '' It is 
a matter of common fame that Mr. Bruce has been in the 
habit of countenancing his congregation in the practice of 
worshiping in connection with communities of Christians 
different from that to which he belongs. Presbytery there- 
fore cite him to appear before them at their next meeting, 
to give an account of his conduct in this matter." No 
action, however, was ever taken on this affair. 

The charter of the congregation dates from 1831, under 
the title ^' The Associate Congregation of Pittsburgh," 
and was granted to the following men : Robert Bruce, Wil- 
liam Bell, Jr., William Woods, John Graham, Alexander 
George, Daniel Spear, Thomas Dixon, Joseph Coltart, 
Robert Moore, James Hunter, John Herron, Adam Sheriff, 
John Rea, James Gilchrist, Samuel Roseburgh, John 
Chambers, M. F. Irwin, James Liggett, Davis Sloss, Wil- 
liam Dickey, Samuel George, William McGill, John Dixon, 
John Whitten, and Thomas Hamilton. This charter was 
amended in 1855 to allow the trustees additional power, 
and again amended in 1874, allowing the trustees further 
power, and adopting the changed name of the congregation, 
'' The First United Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh." 
In 1822 the church became inadequate and a new building 
was commenced, which was not completely finished until 
1828, though it had been occupied in 1823. 

Dr. Robert Bruce played an active part in the community. 
In 1819 he was made principal of the Western University, 
He belonged to the Pittsburgh Philosophical Society, and 
he was in sympathy and in active co-operation with all the 
educational movements of the town. The friendship which 
existed between Dr. Herron, Dr. John Black, and Dr. Bruce 
was very warm, and its influence was distinctly appreciable 
in the community. The foundation strength of the churches 
they represented was laid by these men. 

[ 374 ] 



THE CHURCHES 

In 1847 Rev. Abraham Anderson was installed, followed 
in 1850 by the Rev. Hans W. Lee, who remained five years, 
from 1850 to 1855. During his pastorate the old church 
was pulled down and a new one erected, at a cost of eleven 
thousand five hundred dollars. Certainly the wealth of the 
congregation was increasing. 

During the association of the Rev. S. B. Reed with the 
congregation, occurred the union between the Associate and 
Associate Reformed Churches, on the twenty-sixth day of 
May, 1858, which brought together these separate organiza- 
tions and formed the United Presbyterian Church of North 
America. But the union does not seem to have brought 
tranquillity, and Mr. Reed was released July eleventh, 1859. 

The pastorate of Dr. William J. Reid commenced April 
seventh, 1862, and was marked by the continuous growth, 
which always bespeaks harmony, until his death, which 
occurred September, 1902. 

The coming and the final passing of the elders and the 
members, the baptisms, the marriages, and the deaths, the 
missionary work accomplished, the rapid strides of the city, 
are the changes that make the history of the church until 
1897, when it was decided that the church would move into 
the Oakland district. The church on Seventh avenue was 
closely associated in the memories of the congregation with 
some of the vital things of life, and it was an effort to let 
it go, but the sale was accomplished, and with ninety 
thousand dollars in hand, the search for a location began. 
The lot finally decided upon was on Fifth avenue, one 
hundred and forty feet front by two hundred and twenty- 
five deep, on the east of Croghan street (not then opened). 
The corner stone was laid on the twenty-third of July, 1898, 
and the church dedicated September third, 1899. The total 
cost was one hundred and ten thousand dollars; there was 
a debt, therefore, of eleven thousand dollars, but this was 
rapidly liquidated. 

Dr. Reid had two associate pastors, the Rev. John M. 
Ross and the Rev. William J. Reid, Jr. Surely the satis- 
faction of life must have been great to Dr. Reid, as he saw 
about him so much material evidence of his own accomplish- 
ment. His pastorate was so long continued that he indeed 

[ 375 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

became the father of his people through his strength and 
kindliness. 

The history of the First United Presbyterian Church 
will serve to the general reader for the growth of United 
Presbyterianism in this section, as it would be impossible 
to write the history of each church. If this were done it 
would be found that in numbers the Sixth United Presby- 
terian Church outranks her sisters. This church was or- 
ganized in 1855, and the present imposing structure is due 
to the energy of its late pastor, the Rev. R. M. Russell, and 
the great generosity of the late Mr. Charles Lockhart. 

The immense influence and strength of the United Pres- 
byterian Church can be realized when, according to the 
directory of Pittsburgh, there are thirty-four churches and 
missions in Pittsburgh and Allegheny, in addition to five 
Reformed Churches of the United States and six Reformed 
Presbyterian Covenanter, three Cumberland Presbyterian 
churches, and all this, of course, in addition to that large 
body of Christians known simply as Presbyterians. 

First German United Evangelical. Protestant Church. 

Roman Catholic priests had come to this region and 
preached. Records show Episcopal clergymen to have 
prayed and preached here. Ministers of the Presbyterian 
church had come occasionally, but the first church organ- 
ized in the little town of Pittsburgh, then in Westmoreland 
county, was The First German United Evangelical Prot- 
estant Church. Rev. Johann Wilhelm "Weber paid his first 
visit to this frontier town in 1782. According to his ac- 
count, there were about sixty wooden houses and huts, in 
which about one hundred families lived. There was, how- 
ever, one stone house. The first meetings held by Mr. 
Weber were in a log building on the corner of Wood street 
and Diamond alley, and it is almost beyond question that a 
block church built of logs was erected here, in which he 
continued to hold services. When John Penn, Jr., and John 
Penn presented land to the Presbyterian and Episcopal 
churches of Pittsburgh they, at the same time, deeded the 
same amount to the already organized German Evangelical 

[ 376 ] 



THE CHURCHES 

congregation; the land given to them was bounded by 
Smithfield street, Sixth avenue, Miltenberger and Straw- 
berry alleys. No church was built on this grant, however, 
until some time between 1791-94, and it was of logs. This 
Was, however, replaced in 1833 by a large brick building, 
which had the distinction of a cupola, in which the first 
church bell in Pittsburgh was hung. This building was 
used until 1868, when it was succeeded by the present 
structure, which cost somewhat less than one hundred and 
fifty thousand dollars. The following is a list of the pas- 
tors: Rev. Johann Wilhelm Weber, 1782-94; Rev. Mr. 
Simmler and Rev. Mr. Steck, 1795-1800; from 1800-12 
the pastor is unknown; Rev. Jacob Schnee, 1813-18; Rev. 
Johann M. Ingold, 1818-20; Rev. Heinrich Geiszenhainer, 
1821-22 ; Rev. Heinrich Kurtz, 1823-26 ; Rev. David Kiim- 
merer, 1827-40 ; Rev, Johann Christian Jehle, 1840-46 ; Rev. 
Robert Kohler, 1846-49; Rev. J. J. Waldburger, 1850-53; 
Rev. Carl Walther, D. D., 1853-68; Rev. Carl Weil, 1868-79; 
Rev. Friedrich Ruoff, 1879, lately succeeded by Rev. Carl 
August Voss. 

There are eight congregations of United Evangelical 
Protestant Germans to-day in Pittsburgh and Allegheny. 
A list of the pastors of the First Church is given, but it is 
scarcely an adequate representation of the story and 
growth of the church from the few who first gathered round 
Pastor Weber to the list of communicants to-day, which 
numbers twelve hundred and fifty, with services conducted 
both in German and English. 

The Baptist Church. 

The records of the Baptist Church go back to the time 
when Pittsburgh was engrossed in the War of 1812. Six 
families originally represented the faith, the history of 
which has contained many incidents of peculiar interest. 
The first pastor was the Rev. Edward Jones. His stay was 
short, however. But the first official document is interest- 
ing. It is the charter, and carries the title, *' The First 
Baptist Church and Congregation of the City of Pitts- 
burgh." Among the trustees are the names of the promi- 

[ 377 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

nent men of business of that time and the name first signed 
as " charter member " was Sidney Rigdon. This man, so 
notorious in a later religious movement, was born in 
Allegheny county, and reared on a farm about twelve miles 
from Pittsburgh. He became a printer by trade, and worked 
in a printing office in Pittsburgh. Here lay untouched, for 
two or three years, a curious document, written by Solomon 
Spaulding (who was a resident of Steubenville, Ohio). 
This curious biblical romance is believed to have been the 
basis of the now famous ' ' Book of the Mormons. ' ' At any 
Tate the manuscript was lost in the Pittsburgh printing 
office and later, during Rigdon 's association with the 
Smiths, the Book of the Mormons, strangely analogous to 
the one that had been lost in Pittsburgh, was unearthed on 
Mormon Hill by the since famous Joseph Smith. It is 
claimed by some that Sidney Rigdon was the real instigator 
and brains of the original Mormon movement. At any 
rate, this same Sidney Rigdon was the second pastor of the 
church, but he endeavored to propagate such strange doc- 
trines that the people were dissatisfied. He is, however, 
always remembered by the members of the Baptist church 
for the singular part he played with regard to Mormonism. 

At intervals of every two or three years the records of 
the Baptist association show that a new church had sprung 
up. In 1872 two of the churches, the First Baptist and the 
Union Baptist, of Grant street, united and became the 
strongest Baptist organization in the city, the Fourth 
Avenue Church. The history of this church has been one of 
long, unvarying prosperity and good works. The old build- 
ing was replaced by a new building in the early nineties, 
the erection of which has been a great acquisition to the 
entire city. The present pastor is the Rev. Warren G. 
Partridge. 

The Shady Avenue Baptist Church, organized in 1886, 
must be noted in even a short sketch of the Baptists. One 
hundred and nineteen persons in Wilson's Hall, on Franks- 
town avenue and Station street, met together. Shortly a 
building was projected and begun on Shady avenue, near 
Shakespeare street, and finished in 1891. The Rev. W. A. 
Stanton became pastor March 1, 1890, and is still in office. 
His pastorate is now the longest of any Baptist minister in 

[ 378 ] 



THE CHURCHES 

the two cities, and the church is the second in strength 
among the Baptist churches. It organized a mission in 
Lawrenceville,in 1896 (which in 1902 became the Forty-sixth 
Street Church), giving to it about one hundred of its mem- 
bers and still having on its own roll more than five hundred 
communicants. It holds a high place for its beneficent and 
missionary spirit and work, as well as for its influence and 
teachings in all religious and moral lines. The church is 
well organized, with two Christian Endeavor Societies, a 
Men's Club, three missionary societies among the women 
and girls, a Ladies ' Aid Society, a vigorous Sunday school, 
and numerous committees for doing religious and philan- 
thropic work. During Dr. Stanton's pastorate eight hun- 
dred and sixty persons have been received into member- 
ship. 

The Methodist Church. 

The story of Methodism is like unto the story of the mus- 
tard seed. A newspaper of the twenty-sixth of July, 1809, 
made the following announcement: 

" The public are respectfully informed that the Rev. 
William M'Kindry, Junior Bishop of the M. E. Church, 
will preach at the house of Thomas Cooper, brassfounder, 
in the borough of Pittsburgh, on Thursday evening, the 
10th of August, at 6 o'clock, and the Rev. Francis Asbury, 
Senior Bishop of the same church, will preach there on 
Saturday evening, the 19th of August, at 6 o'clock, on Sun- 
day morning, the 20th, at 11 o'clock, and in the evening of 
the same day, if the weather will permit, in the garden of 
John Wrenshall. As the venerable gentleman is on the de- 
cline of life and probably may feel indisposed, in that case, 
his travelling companion, who it is expected will be the Rev. 
Henry Beohm, will not only follow up some of the subjects, 
but also will preach in the German language at the house 
of Thomas Cooper at 3 o'clock in the afternoon of the 
20th." 

It would require a volume devoted entirely to 
Methodism to relate the history of the almost innu- 
merable Methodist Episcopal, Methodist Protestant, 
Free Methodist, German Methodist, and African Metho- 
dist Episcopal churches, which have arisen in the cities 

[ 379 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

of Pittsburgh and Allegheny. But the annals of Christ 
Methodist Episcopal Church may be used as an ex- 
ample of their rise and progress. '^ The first meeting of 
subscribers to the fund for erecting the Christ Church edi- 
fice was held November twenty-sixth, 1851 ; Robert E. Sel- 
lers was elected Chairman, and John Shea, Secretary. No- 
vember thirtieth, 1802, the charter was adopted and the 
first Board of Trustees was elected. July twelfth, 1853, 
the corner stone of the Church was laid. March twenty- 
fifth, 1855, the Church was dedicated. The Rev. J. P. Dur- 
bin, D. D., preached in the morning, the Rev. Alfred Cook- 
man in the afternoon, and the Rev. Calvin Kingsley, D. D., 
in the evening. The Rev. Alfred Cookman, transferred by 
Bishop Simpson from the Baltimore Conference, at the 
request of the Board of Trustees, became the first pastor 
of the Church and entered upon his pastoral work April 
first, 1855. 

May fifth, 1891, the Church edifice was destroyed by fire. 
The Board of Trustees held its last meeting in the Church 
April sixth, 1891, and the last services were on May third, 
1891, the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper being adminis- 
tered at the morning service. 

On June eighteenth, 1891, at a Corporation meeting, the 
Board of Trustees was authorized to sell the Church site, 
divide the funds into two equal parts, appoint two Church 
Building Committees, and use the proceeds as far as they 
might go, in building two Church edifices, the one in the 
East End, Pittsburgh, and the other in Allegheny. At the 
close of the Corporation meeting, the Board of Trustees 
met and the President of the Board, Mr. Alexander Brad- 
ley, appointed John G. Holmes, Otis Shepard, Charles H. 
Bradley, Joseph Shallenberger, and Elias J. linger as the 
Church Building Committee for the East End, Pittsburgh; 
and C. C. Scaife, C. B. Shea, Sullivan Johnson, Lee S. 
Smith, and Durbin Home as the Church Building Com- 
mittee for Allegheny. Mr. Alexander Bradley and Mr. 
Joseph Home were unanimously elected as honorary mem- 
bers of these committees. 

The Church site for the East End Church was purchased 
September eighth, 1891, and the contract for the erection 
of the edifice was signed, with Henry Schenk, August 

[ 380 ] 



THE CHURCHES 

thirtieth, 1892. The architects of the building were Weary 
& Kramer, 

The Church site for the Allegheny Church was purchased 
November tenth, 1891, and the contract for the erection of 
the edifice was signed with G. A. Cochran, September 
twenty-seventh, 1892. The architects of the building were 
Vrydagh & Shepard. 

The Chapel of the Calvary Church, Allegheny, was 
opened December twenty-fourth, 1893. The Chapel of the 
Christ Church, East End, Pittsburgh, was opened June 
tenth, 1894. The auditoriums of both Churches were opened 
and the entire structures were completed and dedicated 
early in the following year. 

On Sunday, November twenty-third, the liquidation of 
the debt upon Christ Church was provided for by subscrip- 
tions from members of the Church. 

Great work is accomplished by this vast body of 
Christians. Previous to and throughout the Civil War they 
were and remained abolitionists, and have done important 
work among the colored people. The Methodists also do a 
great work in the field of foreign missions. 

This abbreviated article in no way purports to be a com- 
plete history of the churches of Pittsburgh. That would 
necessitate a volume or volumes devoted entirely to the sub- 
ject. As early as 1835 a Unitarian church was established 
in Pittsburgh, which, however, through a certain period of 
years, declined, but again, under the able administration 
and splendid preaching of Mr. C. E. St. John, flourished, 
and a most attractive church has lately been erected on the 
corner of Ellsworth and Morewood avenues. The Rev. M. 
Mason succeeded Mr. St. John. The Universalist Church, 
on the corner of Grant and Third streets, was dedicated 
February fifth, 1866, with great ceremony. Dr. Bacon an- 
nounced that the building had cost fifteen thousand dollars, 
one-half of which had already been raised. In answer to his 
strong appeal over three thousand dollars was immediately 
subscribed and the church has continued. It is at present 
located on Sixth avenue. 

It is generally estimated that there are in Pittsburgh and 
Allegheny forty thousand Jews. There are ten Jewish con- 
gregations, the strongest of which meets in the music hall 

[ 381 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

of the Carnegie Library, and is under the charge of the 
Rabbi Levy. This man, almost as well known to the Gen- 
tiles as to his own people, accomplishes great good for each 
of the great divisions. Brilliant beyond the ordinary, he 
has made plain many problems to those of less ability. The 
work of the Jewish women in their own and other benevo- 
lent institutions is recognized. 

There are eleven Christian churches. There are six Con- 
gregationalist churches. The report of the secretary of the 
Church News Association of five years ago estimated the 
maintenance of all Lutheran churches in Pittsburgh and 
Allegheny at four hundred and fifty-six thousand and one 
hundred dollars. There are two Russian churches, a Bohe- 
mian chapel, an Austro-Hungarian, and a Swedish church. 

Estimates that are made in the world are totaled in 
figures. A religious man or a philanthropist may go to a 
practical man with his beautiful theories and dreams, and 
the practical man immediately says, '^ What is the cost? 
How much does it pay? How much is paid into it? " And 
on the answers to these basic questions he makes his esti- 
mate of the usefulness of this philanthropic institution or 
the ability of that church to accomplish good for the mass 
of the people. It is, therefore, estimated that the total cost 
of maintenance of the churches in Pittsburgh and vicinity 
reaches the immense sum of two and a half millions an- 
nually. That is, this sum is contributed by those who attend 
the various churches, for the payment of salaries, to the 
cause of missions, and incidentals such as building, repairs, 
etc. Surely this must convince the most advanced business 
brain that there is at least work being done. Imagine Pitts- 
burgh without her churches ! The writing of a history of 
Pittsburgh without this religious and ethical counterbalance 
would have been a strange history indeed. The strife of 
man against man would have risen to a height almost incom- 
prehensible. It is indeed doubtful if there would have been 
any such city, with her marvelous industries, to record. It is 
likely that there would have been but a small strife-ridden, 
barbarous community. But to her honor and glory it may 
be in all truth recorded that her churches and her benevo- 
lent institutions have fully kept pace with her commercial 
life. 

[ 382 ] 



HOSPITALS AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS 



HOSPITALS AND BENEVOLENT 
INSTITUTIONS 



The furthest research into the history of man always 
finds the religious instinct more, or less developed, but 
humanity was the teaching of Christ. Sympathy for suffer- 
ing He showed to the greatest extent, from the healing of 
the leper to the raising of Lazarus. His heart responded 
instantly to suffering, whether from disease or wickedness. 
Slowly, very slowly, man has responded to this example of 
His, but, nevertheless, has responded, and consequently, at 
the end of almost two thousand years, a part of the history 
of every city must be devoted to^ those institutions, directed 
and sustained by man, to ease and help the suffering of his 
fellow-man. 

The Mercy Hospitax,. 

'^ The Mercy Hospital is under the management of the 
Catholic Sisterhood, but the hospital is purely non-sec- 
tarian. It has uniformly opened its doors to the sick and 
suffering without distinction or question as to creed. ' ' This 
is the foundation principle of the first institution of its kind 
in the city. It was lodged temporarily, in a building on 
Penn street, January first, 1847. The man in whose mind 
the idea of the hospital originated was Bishop 'Conner, 
and it was through his unceasing efforts that the Sisters of 
Mercy were able to carry it to a successful completion. The 
hospital was transferred to a building erected for its own 

[ 383 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

purposes on Stevenson street, in May, 1848. Including the 
lot, the cost was fifteen thousand dollars. This was met 
mainly by the private means of the Sisters and the generous 
donations of some of the citizens. The building was three 
stories high, besides the basement, and was capable of ac- 
commodating sixty patients. The first medical staff in- 
cluded Doctors Daniel McMeal, Joseph Gazzam, George D. 
Bruce and William Addison. These men gave their services 
gratuitously, serving a term of three months alternately. 
Dr. Thomas Shaw was the first interne at the " Mercy." 
The institution was for years without a corporation, and 
had no board of trustees, but the Sisters wisely desired a 
periodical inspection of the entire institution, and a written 
report of the same by a Board of Visitors. The first report 
was signed by William Ebbs, John Snyder, Henry McCul- 
lough. Christian Ihmsen and Luke Taafe. 

The city dealt with the problem of small-pox in 1849. 
There was no municipal hospital, or pest-house, and the 
'* Mercy " opened its doors to the sufferers from this 
wretched disease. Some of the cases were nursed in a tem- 
porary building outside the hospital, but many of them were 
taken directly into the house. 

This outbuilding was afterwards burned to allay the fears 
of the neighbors. In 1854 and 1855 cholera became epi- 
demic. The hospital was not adequate to the number of 
patients requiring care, so the Sisters gave even their own 
beds and nursed almost without rest. The only man left in 
the building was the carpenter to make the rude coffins, the 
orderly having refused to remain. 

The " Marines " or boatmen, from the beginning of the 
hospital had found care there, but in 1851, their own hospital 
at Woods Run was erected. The loss of this class of 
patients straightened the circumstances of the hospital ap- 
preciably, as the majority of the patients were poor. Dur- 
ing the Civil War many soldiers were nursed here, for 
which the government paid at the rate of ninety-four cents 
per day. This, however, helped to relieve the stringency in 
the affairs of the hospital. 

A number of the Sisters of Mercy from the Pittsburgh 
Community under Dr. Sidell, United States Surgeon, took 

[ 384 ] 



HOSPITALS AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS 

cliarge of the Stanton Military Hospital in Washington, 
J). C, from December, 1862, until March 1865. 

These valiant Sisters met another emergency of the city, 
in 1872, when small-pox became practically epidemic. They 
owned a large, roomy brick house on Bluff street, where 
they had established an industrial school for poor sewing 
girls, and forty or Mtj cases at a time were nursed in this 
house for months, for which the city paid ten dollars per 
week for each patient. 

Until 1882 this splendid humanitarian institution was 
the private property of the Sisters of Mercy, but in that 
year it was decided to incorporate it as a charitable institu- 
tion of the State, thus entitling it to State aid. The men 
who acted as incorporators were: James P. Barr, B. F. 
Jones, John Birmingham, C. L. Magee, William H. Smith, 
T. D. Casey, John D. Scully, John D. Larkin, Thomas M. 
Carnegie, James Callery, Anthony P. Keating. Mr. Car- 
negie was made first president of the board. 

The hospital became again inadequate to the demands of 
the city, and it was, therefore, found advisable to build an 
addition. The adjoining lot was secured by a mortgage 
given by the Pittsburgh Community of the Sisters of Mercy. 
The cost of the new building was more than seventy-five 
thousand dollars. There was a general contribution from 
the citizens of Pittsburgh, which amounted to thirty-four 
thousand dollars. This was due mainly to the efforts of 
Colonel James P. Barr, who was at all times deeply inter- 
ested in this work. The State appropriated thirty thousand 
dollars, and William Thaw donated twenty thousand. The 
addition was a plain but imposing structure, containing four 
general wards, fifteen private rooms, and several double 
rooms, which increased the capacity of the hospital for 
patients to about one hundred and fifty. A mortuary chapel 
was built, and many improvements were made in the old 
building. The entire debt was liquidated within the next 
ten years, except what was owing to the Community Sisters 
for the mortgage. In 1875, the city erected a Municipal 
Hospital, but the '' Mercy," during the year 1902, estab- 
lished an isolated department, so that it is still possible to 
handle contagious diseases. 

25 [ 385 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

A radical change was made in the management of the 
hospital, in 1892, by the regulation of a permanent staff to 
give their services continually. 

The city, through the " Mercy " hospital, became in- 
debted to Mr. Christopher L. Magee, when the Magee 
Pathological Institute was opened in 1900. This depart- 
ment is conducted as a Pasteur Institute, and has been of 
inestimable value. 

The number of patients admitted to the " Mercy " hos- 
pital from 1848 to 1904 was more than eighty thousand. 

The management is in charge of the Sisters of Mercy. 
The trustees are: M. K. McMullen, president; J. Dawson 
Gallery, secretary; Albert J. Barr, vice-president; F. H. 
Skelding, treasurer; John B. Larkin, Willis F. McCook, 
John Farrell, T. Hart Given, J. M. Guffey and George C. 
Wilson. 

The hospital staff is at present : Surgeons, R. W. Stew- 
art, J. J. Buchanan, George L. Hays. Physicians, I. J. 
Moyer, J. I. Johnston, C. O. Goulding, B. M. Dickinson. 
Specialists, X. O. Werder, W. F. Robeson, J. C. Hierholzer, 
J. De V. Singley, F. W. Meade, John W. DLxon, J. F. Mur- 
doch, E. A. Weiss, Acheson Stewart. Dispensary Staff, I. 
J. Moyer, D. B. Beggs, E. W. Meredith, S. A. Chalfant, M. 
Goldsmith, J. R. McCurdy, J. A. Reidy, J. F. Murdoch, O. 
G. Barker, J. C. Hierholzer, Jos. H. Hoffman, J. P. Hagerty, 
E. A. Weiss. Registrar, S. A. Chalfant. 

And so these women, hiding their individuality behind 
the barrier of their " Community," labor ceaselessly to 
alleviate pain. They neither desire nor lay claim to any 
recompense, except the glory of the ' * Mercy, ' ' which is, 
that the poor are sheltered within its walls and numbers of 
wretched, suffering human beings are cared for, and in 
some cases restored to health. 

The Western Pennsylvania Hospital. I 

Pittsburgh was recovering from her great fire, 1845, and Ij 
though still a small city, the men who made her vital If 
strength were not so occupied with the mere rebuilding off 
their businesses, but that in 1847, there was a move, through) 

[ 386 ] i 



HOSPITALS AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS 

the general contributions of no less than two hundred per- 
son, to erect a hospital. A large meeting was held in the 
old Odeon building, on Fourth street, over which Dr. H. D. 
Sellers presided, and for which John Harper and Thomas 
M. Howe, acted as secretaries. An association was formed, 
and desired from the Legislature a charter, the title of 
which should be, " The Western Pennsylvania Hospital." 
It was granted on the eighteenth of March, in the following 
year. Mr. and Mrs. Harmar Denny, and Mr. and Mrs. 
E. W. H. Schenley offered to this association twenty-four 
acres of land in the then ninth ward (now the twelfth), 
south of Liberty street. This, the association accepted, and 
one section of the charter read : ' ' There shall be no dis- 
tinction as to religious denominations, and clergymen shall 
have access to patients of their persuasion, subject to the 
general rules in reference to the admission to patients." 
Buildings were erected and opened during January, 1853. 
There was an immediate demand upon this hospital for the 
admission of the insane, which continued to increase to such 
an extent that on May eighth, 1855, a supplement to the 
Act of incorporation was made by which the State appro- 
priated ten thousand dollars towards securing accommoda- 
tion for the mentally afflicted, and authorized the courts of 
Western Pennsylvania to commit to the hospital any person 
charged with punishable offense, who might be then insane, 
and a further supplement to the charter was made a year 
later, which carried with it a sum of twenty thousand dol- 
lars to further extend the department for the insane. It 
was then proposed and approved by the Governor to erect 
additional buildings for this particular class of patients, 
and the State to appoint annually three managers. This, 
however, after long and serious consideration, was deemed 
injudicious, and Miss Dorothy L. Dix was invited to a 
conference with the Board of Managers. Upon her ad- 
vice, the managers sold the farm they had already pur- 
chased, on the left bank of the Monongahela river, and 
bought in place thereof one containing about three hundred 
acres on the right bank of the Ohio, seven miles below the 
city. This, with other tracts of land purchased subse- 
quently through the aid of private funds, were all on the 

[ 387 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

line of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad. 
That all this had the sanction of the Legislature, is evi- 
denced by another liberal appropriation made in April, 
1859, it being the intention of the State to make this a 
home for the indigent insane of twenty-one counties of 
AVestern Pennsylvania. The constituted authorities of the 
respective counties, districts, and townships were empowered 
to send to it the indigent insane under their charge, admis- 
sion to be in the ratio of their population, recent cases being 
preferred to those of long standing, the poor having prefer- 
ence to the rich. The corner stone of the central building 
was laid July nineteenth, 1859, and the building was so far 
completed by November eleventh, 1861, that one hundred 
and thirteen patients, with attendants, were moved into it. 
Dixmont (after Miss Dix), was then, as to-day, officially the 
insane department of the Western Pennsylvania Hospital, 
and consequently under its management. Dr. J. A. Reed 
was made the first superintendent, and the irreproachable 
character of this institution is undoubtedly due in great part 
to his splendid supervision, and the equally strong work 
of Dr. H. A. Hutchison. 

The Pennsylvania Railroad at one time threatened to 
destroy the usefulness of the '^ West Penn Hospital," but 
satisfactory arrangements, with regard to the placing of the 
tracks and the juxtaposition of the hospital, were finally 
made, and since then the Pennsylvania Railroad has paid 
annually to the " West Penn " the sum of four thousand 
dollars as ground rent. This, of course, through its earlier 
years particularly, was a matter of great moment to the 
hospital. 

During the Civil War the hospital was tendered to the 
government for sick and disabled soldiers, and accepted by 
Mr. Stanton, with expressions of gratitude. Its ample 
wards were soon filled, nearly ten thousand soldiers being 
accommodated at a time in the large building and the tem- 
porary outside arrangements. No remuneration was asked 
or expected for this use. The government, in accordance 
with the charter of the institution, received all cases of ac- 
cidental injury ; otherwise, the city had no use of it. 

When the great unselfish work of the Subsistence Com- 

[ 388 ] 



HOSPITALS AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS 

mittee was done, the Sanitary Fair was over, and before its 
dissolution, it transferred by unanimous consent to the 
Western Pennsylvania Hospital for the endowment of the 
Hospital in the Twelfth Ward of Pittsburgh, for the sick, 
helpless and infirm, and persons recovering from accidental 
injury, assets to the amount of $198,383.71. 

During 1865, 1866 and 1867 large appropriations were 
made by the Legislature for enlarging the hospital at Dix- 
mont. Each year the hospital in the twelfth ward and the 
insane- department at Dixmont, under the management of 
able men, continued to expand to meet the increasing de- 
mand of the population of Western Pennsylvania. There 
has been no year that has not marked growth. 

The preseiit officers of the institution are : President, 
James R, Mellon; vice-presidents, first, Albert J. Logan; 
second, William M. Kennedy; treasurer, George D. Ed- 
wards ; secretary, J. W. Macfarlane. Custodian of Securities, 
Fidelity Title and Trust Co. Solicitors, Shiras and Dickey. 
Life managers, Thomas M. Armstrong, F. S. Bissell, An- 
drew Carnegie, Mrs. Elizabeth J. Duncan, Miss Matilda 
Denny, Mrs. Eliza Thaw Edwards, H. C. Frick, Fred. K. 
Gwinner, Sr., John A. Harper, Samuel Hamilton, John B. 
Jackson, James R. Mellon, T. A. Mellon, A. W. Mellon, R. 
B. Mellon, Mrs. Judge Mellon, Mrs. Samuel M'Kee, M. K. 
M'Mullin, Miss Julia Nelson, Miss Maggie Nelson, Henry 
Phipps, Jr., Lawrence C. Phipps, James H. Park, D. E. 
Park, C. E. Rumsey, James H. Reed, Charles H. Spang. 
Managers elected by the contributors : One year, Ogden M. 
Edwards, J. B. Finley, J. 0. Flower, L. P. Harbison,* J. C. 
Kohne, J. W. Macfarlane, James H. Willock. Two years, 
W. L. Arbuthnot, John A. Bell, H. P. Bope, H. C. Frye, W. 
L. Jones, George E, Shaw, C. C. Townsend. Three years, 
T. N. Boyle, William Flinn, D. L. Gillespie, H. J. Heinz, 
William M. Kenned3^ James H. Lockhart, A. S. M. Morgan. 
State Managers, Robert Pitcairn, A. L. M'Kibben, Albert 
J. Logan. 

The present staff is : F. Le Moyne, C. Emmerling, James 
W. Macfarlane, E. B. Haworth, J. Hartley Anderson, L. W. 

* Deceased. 

[ 389 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Swope, M. C. Cameron, Ijawrence Litchfield, John W. 
Boyce, Thomas S. Arbuthnot, Ewing W. Day, K. I. Sanes, 
G. E. Curry, C. Q. Jackson, C. S. Foster, Percival J. Eaton, 
Ogden M. Edwards, F. S. Kellogg, Ralph Duffy, Clyde 0. 
Anderson, C. H. Ingram, J. R. Brown, W. F. Donaldson, J. 
D. Milligan, C. A. Ellis, W. M. Davis, S. H. M'Kibben, J. A. 
Lichty, S. A. Chalfant, Stewart Patterson, H. W. Kunkle, 
H. C. Feldstein, H. C. Hoffman, E. J. Thompson, E. V. 
Thompson, V. G. Wagner, W. J. L. M'Cullough, J. R. Simp- 
son, G. A. Knight, J. N. Stanton, W. W. Shaffer. 

Mr. James R. Mellon in his last statement to the Board of 
Managers said: 

" The Medical and Surgical Department, thanks to the 
energy of its Chairman, Colonel A. J. Logan, and a spe- 
cially efficient Executive Committee, has placed itself in an 
excellent position, with the community at large, by getting 
as nearly as possible upon a strict^ cash basis ; but in order 
to do this eighty thousand dollars had to be borrowed to 
cancel its floating debts. Many of these debts were of long 
standing, with merchants about town, who could ill afford 
to bear the burden laid upon them by the condition of our 
treasury, which has been brought about by our necessarily 
large list of charity patients. 

^' The conversion of a floating indebtedness into an inter- 
est-bearing one, may not seem meritorious to you, but in set- 
tling with our creditors they have been generous, so that, at 
least, for a time we will not be adding anything to our ex- 
penditures, and the advantages of buying for cash are such, 
that we trust you will look at it in the same light we do, as 
it was impossible for us to continue on in the old way. 

" We admitted during the year 2,783 patients, which, 
added to 209 in the hospital, October 1st, 1904, make a total 
of 2,992 treated during the year. The actual percentage of 
deaths was 7.33, which, considering the run of cases, is a 
very satisfactory record. 

'' Pay patients numbered 1,348, covering a period of 27,- 
125 days' occupancy. 

'^ Free patients numbered 1,144, covering a period of 31,- 
183 days' occupancy. 

"' Part pa}^ patients numbered 241, covering a period of 
5,580 days' occupancy. 

[ 390 ] 



HOSPITALS AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS 

'' Old soldiers numbered 50, covering a period of 1,105 
days' occupancy. 

" In addition to this 560 gratuitous dressings were ap- 
plied in emergency cases from .he Mill districts and the 
railroads. 

" The cost per capita per diem was $1.89, an increase of 
nine cents over last year, due in part to an increase in our 
charity work, and to plumbing improvements done under 
the official plumbing authorities of this district. It is true 
that these plumbing alterations have materially improved 
the general health of our patients, nurses and employees ; 
but the cost of this amelioration was $7,650.63, The total 
number of free days for this year was 36,763, showing an 
increase over last year. The number of soldiers treated 
during 1904 was 43, with 1,029 days' occupancy, whilst in 
1905 there were 50 soldiers with a total of 1,105 days ' occu- 
pany, showing an increase in this department also. 

"A modest two-story brick stable has been erected upon 
the site of the old frame one destroyed by fire, which will 
furnish adequate room for our stock and ambulances. 

" Receipts for the fiscal year were $110,290.82, made up 
as follows: 

Pay patients $44,259 60 

Ground rent 4,000 00 

State of Pennsylvania 41,400 63 

Interest and dividends 10,458 31 

Donations 9,710 10 

Insurance 22 73 

Suspense account 439 45 

Total receipts $110,290 82 

Total expense for fiscal year was 134,369 74 

Deficit for year $24,078 92 

Cash in bank Sept. 30th, 1905 $10,108 20 



'^ The department for the insane at Dixmont admitted 
during the year 215 patients, of whom 133 were men and 82, 
women. There remained in the Institution, September thir- 
tieth, 1904, 911 patients, bringing the total for the year up 
to 1,126. Thirty-six were discharged restored, 79 improved, 

[ 391 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

6 unimproved, while 88 died. The lowest number of 
patients was 899 and the highest 920. Average 906. 

'^ Receipts for the fiscal year were $229,968.28. made up 
as follows: 

Balance in treasury $27,401 91 

Donations 100 00 

State of Pennsylvania 96,791 97 

Interest 1,872 48 

Paid by patients 103,801 92 



Total receipts $229,968 28 

Total expense for fiscal year was 198,353 93 



Balance on hand $31,614 35 



' ' The work at Dixmont has been kept at as high a stand- 
ard as that of any institution of its character in the country, 
owing to the ability of Hon. Wm. M. Kennedy and Hon. 
0. C. Townsend of the Executive Committee, and that of its 
Superintendent, Dr. Henry A. Hutchinson. 

'^ The general kitchen and dormitory building is all but 
completed. It is happy in design, substantially built and 
thoroughly adapted to the work for which it was designed. 

^' To provide for the contagious diseases that spring up 
from time to time, a well-equipped isolation hospital of 
brick is being erected, with adequate facilities for both 
sexes, and of sufficient size to meet the usual emergencies 
dictated by experience. 

" The farm continues to supply the wants in the way of 
vegetables at a reasonable cost; and a new gas well, of 
greater capacity than any heretofore drilled in this vicinity, 
gives us an ideal and cheap fuel. 

''We trust that the Western Pennsylvania Hospital will 
continue to appeal to your generosity, as we are doing a 
work for a great mass of poor people, who must look to the 
State for relief in time of sickness or temporary disability 
by injury. 

'' I wish to thank the directors of both departments of the 
hospital for the zeal displayed in the mangement and better- 
ment of the institutions under their care. * * * " 

[ 392 ] 



HOSPITALS AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS 

At the meeting of the Board of the Western Pennsylvania 
Hospital, held in July, 1906, it was unanimously voted to 
conduct the West Penn and Dixmont hospitals as separate 
organizations. The meeting was short; no business was 
transacted, save the passage of the resolution of separation. 
About thirty members of the corporation being present. 
Under the new conditions, a charter will be secured for Dix- 
mont, the corporation to be known as the Dixmont Hos- 
pital for the Insane. No change in the policy of either in- 
stitution is contemplated. 



St. Francis' Hospital. 

During the November of 1866, three Sisters from the 
order of St. Francis, located in Buffalo, New York, came to 
Pittsburgh with the evident purpose of establishing a hos- 
pital in Pittsburgh, for very shortly after their arrival, they 
purchased a little more than six acres of ground on what is 
now Thirty-fourth street, and proceeded to open a hospital 
in a small building on the grounds. The hospital was incor- 
porated June twentieth, 1868. The capacity was limited to 
fifty patients. This small hospital soon passed through the 
experience of the other hospitals already in the city; it was 
too small, therefore, in 1872, a larger and more substantial 
building was erected, four stories high, with a wing contain- 
ing a chapel. The location of this hospital was extremely 
advantageous, standing on high ground. An insane depart- 
ment for women was added, in 1885, and in 1891 a new 
building, exclusively for the insane, was projected and built. 
This accommodated about one hundred patients of both 
sexes. 

The hospital has been added to both in the way of in- 
terior improvement and in additions at various times since, 
and is acknowledged as one of the best hospitals in the city, 
owing to the efficiency of the men who have served as physi- 
cians and these Sisters of St. Francis, whose reputation as 
nurses is wide-spread. 

The present Staff Physicians are: T. M. T. M'Kennan, 
E. C. Stuart, T. L. Disque, J. C. Dunn, R. P. Huggins, A. M. 
M'Cabe, C. C. Hersman, Theo. Diller, R. J. Behan, J. A. 

[ 393 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Hawkins, G. E. Curry, J. K. Sterrett, J. E. Willets, George 
Ely, E. A. Weisser, and K. Emmerling. 

HOMCEOPATHIC HOSPITAL. 

The practitioners of Homoeopathy in Allegheny county 
having failed to obtain accommodations in the existing hos- 
pitals of the city, for those who preferred this practice 
(both pay and charity patients), it was determined to 
establish a hospital and dispensary in which this treatment 
should prevail. A liberal policy was adopted respecting the 
medical attendance of patients, viz. : paying patients, or 
those not a direct tax on the charities of the hospital, could 
employ a physician of their choice, not being restricted to 
any school. Accordingly, late in the year 1865, the grounds 
and buildings located on Second avenue, near Smithfield 
street, sixty-seven feet front and running through to First 
avenue, with a frontage of forty-seven feet on the latter, be- 
longing to James B. Murray, was secured by Drs. Marcellin 
Cote, John C. Burgher and H. Hoffmann, for the sum of 
$22,000, and held until a hospital organization was effected. 
On the fourth of April, 1866, a charter was granted by the 
Legislature of Pennsylvania, naming as corporators a num- 
ber of citizens, who had subscribed liberally toward the es- 
tablishment of the hospital. On the ninth day of April, 
1866, a board of trustees was elected from the corporators, 
officers chosen and the work of organizing and equipping 
the hospital begun; so that by the first of August, with 
a capacity of thirty-eight beds, the doors were thrown 
open for the reception and care of patients, with ceremonies 
appropriate to the occasion, the Hon. Wilson McCandless, 
Judge of the U. S. District Court, presiding. 

The original corporators and officers of the institution 
were as follows: Wilson McCandless, William Frew, 
James B. Murray, Jas. Caldwell, A. M. Wallingford, Annie 
Murray, Mary E. Moorhead, Letitia Holmes, M. K. Moor- 
head, Wm. Metcalf, J. H. Hillerman, J. M. Knapp, J. H. 
Nobbs, W. A. Gildenfenny, 0. Metcalf, William Crawford, 
Jr., E. Miles, E. Dithridge, A. McFarland, T. S. Blair, R. 
W. Burke, W. M. Faber, G. H. Burke, William T. Shannon, 

[ 394 ] 



HOSPITALS AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS 

H. W. Oliver, Jr., George Bingham, J. G. Backofen, Mary 
Cote, E. R. Burke, Marcy Caldwell, Sarah L. Woods, E. C. 
Donaldson, Jennie Blair, Jas. Colvin and S. Miles. 

At the first election for trustees, held the ninth day of 
April, 1866, the following gentlemen were chosen: 

Trustees for three years: Hon Wilson McCandless, 
Major William Frew, James B. Murray, William Metcalf 
Edwin Miles, A. M. Wallingford, H. W Oliver, Jr., J. C 
Burgher, M. D. Trustees for two years : George Bingham 
W. W. Mair, W. T. Shannon, H. Hofmann, M. D., Thos. S 
Blair, R. W. Burke, W. A. Herron, James A. Hutchinson 
Trustees for one year: H. Holdship, Jas. Caldwell, John 
Shepard, Edward Dithridge, Marcellin Cote, M. D., D. H. 
Fralich, W. A. Gildenfenny, A. McFarland. At the same 
time and place the following officers were elected by the 
trustees : 

President, Hon. W. McCandless; vice-presidents, first. 
Major William Frew ; second, James B. Murray ; secretary, 
J. C. Burgher, M. D. ; treasurer, Geo. Bingham; librarian, 
W. W. Mair; Executive Committee, Marcellin Cote, chair- 
man ; Edwin Miles, J. C. Burgher, M. D., with the president 
and vice-presidents ex-ofjicio. 

Medical Staff, 1866-67: Physicians, H. Hofmann, F. 
Taudte, L. M. Rousseau, J. E. Barnaby. Surgeons, J. C. 
Burgher, L. H. Willard, D. Cowley, J. H. McClelland. Ac- 
coucheurs, J. F. Cooper, D. Cowley. Dispensary Depart- 
ment, the resident physician. 

The first president of the corporation, the Hon. Wilson 
McCandless, served in this capacity for three years, when 
failing health compelled him to decline the active manage- 
ment of its affairs. He subsequently served as vice-presi- 
dent, continuing in that office until the end of his life. He 
died on the thirtieth day of June, 1882. Judge McCandless 
was succeeded by Major William Frew, who was elected 
president, April, 1869. He continued in the capacity of 
president, by repeated re-election, until the close of his life, 
March ninth, 1880. Major Frew was succeeded by Mr. 
William H. Barnes. The early history of the institution 
would not be complete without special mention of the first 
chairman of the Executive Committee, Dr. Marcellin Cote, 

[ 395 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

to whose energy, during the first three years of the institu- 
tion, is in large measure due its subsequent success. Dr. 
J. C. Burgher succeeded Dr. Cote as chairman of this im- 
portant committee for nearly ten years. Dr. Burgher was 
succeeded by Dr. J. F. Cooper, and he in turn by Dr. J. H. 
McClelland. 

A powerful auxiliary to the management was the Ladies ' 
Association of the hospital. Mrs. William Thaw, presi- 
dent; Mrs. S. Jarvis Adams, Mrs. George Anderson, vice- 
presidents; Mrs. George L. McCoy, secretary; Miss Marian 
E. Bingaman, treasurer. Honorary Members, Mrs. Ed- 
ward Gregg, Mrs. Alexander King, Mrs. J. E. Schwartz, 
Mrs. George Westinghouse. Managers, Mrs. S. Jarvis 
Adams, Mrs. George H. Anderson, Miss Marian Bingaman, 
Mrs. Josiah Cohen, Mrs. H. E. Collins, Mrs. Robert P. Duff, 
Mrs. E. M. Ferguson, Mrs. H. C. Frick, Mrs. H. W. Fulton, 
Mrs. Thomas J. Gillespie, Mrs. H. E. Gregg, Mrs. G. W. 
Hailman, Miss Martha King, Miss E. B. Mackintosh, Mrs. 
James R. Mellon, Mrs. M. K. Moorhead, Mrs. W. J. Moor- 
head, Mrs. James McCrea, Mrs. Geo. L. McCoy, Mrs. D. C. 
Noble, Miss Mary Oliver, Mrs. H. 0. Patch, Mrs. Geo. L. 
Peck, Mrs. W. B. Rodgers, Mrs. Norman M. Smith, Mrs. 
William W. Smith, Mrs. Frank Sneed, Mrs. D. G. Stewart, 
Mrs. Wm. Thaw, Mrs. J. J. Turner, Mrs. J. J. Vandergrift, 
Mrs. L. H. Willard, Mrs. Joseph Wood, Miss Woods. 

Not only do the members of this society devote much 
time and attention to a supervision of the internal aft'airs 
of the hospital, supplying clothing and many needed deli- 
cacies to the sick, but by systematic effort they raise large 
sums of money toward the maintenance of the hospital. 

For several years prior to 1883 the management felt the 
necessity for larger and better accommodations, and many 
ineffectual efforts were made ; but a determination to raise 
$100,000 took practical shape when Mr. William Thaw, of 
Pittsburgh, agreed to give $25,000 of this amount. This 
was supplemented by the following: Miss Jane Holmes, 
$15,000; Mr. Charles J. Clarke, $5,000; Mr. William Met- 
calf, $1,000; Mr. W. H. Barnes, $1,000; Col. J. M. Schoon- 
maker, $1,000; Mr. H. J. Bailey, $500; Mr. J. D. Layng, 
$500j Mr. M. K. Moorhead, $500; Mr. Edwin Miles, $500; 

[ 396 ] 



HOSPITALS AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS 

Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Shannon, $500 ; J. N. McCullough, $400 ; 
Mr. 0. Metcalf , $250 ; Frank Semple, $100. This made the 
sum of $50,000. The Legislature then appropriated the 
sum of $50,000, thus completing the amount of $100,000, 
In order to give space for the new building it became neces- 
sary to purchase adjoining ground to the extent of seventy 
feet, running through from First to Second avenue. The 
means to accomplish this was advanced by one who had 
already done much for the hospital. The contract for 
building the hospital was let to Mr. Robert McCain for the 
sum of $106,000, which did not include the plumbing and 
some other items. The hospital was designed to have a 
capacity for 200 beds. Mr. J. U. Barr was chosen the 
architect and superintendent, and the work was placed in 
charge of a building committee appointed from the Board 
of Trustees, consisting of Dr. J. F. Cooper, chairman; H. 
J. Bailey, Dr. J. C. Burgher, Wm. Crawford, Jr., and Jos. 
D. Wicks ; with W. H. Barnes, president of the corporation, 
and Dr. Jas. H. McClelland, chairman of the Executive 
Committee, ex-officio. 

The Ladies' Association went actively to work with a 
special view to furnishing the hospital. To this end they 
projected an extensive fair and festival in December, 1883, 
to be held in the new building, then nearly finished. Their 
efforts were crowned with success, realizing $17,032.57, and 
securing at the same time subscriptions to the amount of 
$6,054 additional. This profitable undertaking was known 
as the ' ' Homoeopathic Hospital House Warming. ' ' In all, 
from various sources, there was raised for this great object, 
from the State $100,000, and from private contributors 
about $133,000. During the two or three years in which 
the financial problem was in process of solution by the 
Executive Committee, the Committee on Plans, under the 
chairmanship of Dr. J. F. Cooper, continued its labors ; and 
after repeated reports and revisions, journeying at home 
and abroad, finally completed plans, which were submitted 
to the trustees and adopted by them January seventeenth, 
1882. 

The plans and specifications called for a substantial 
brick structure, four stories high, consisting of two main 

[ 397^] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

buildings, one on First avenue and one on Second avenue, 
with a central connecting building. 

The new structure was opened to patients on April first, 
1884, after an interruption of hospital work for two years. 
The formal opening, however, was deferred until April 
fifteenth, upon which occasion appropriate ceremonies were 
held. 

Among the incidents of the following year was the 
organization of a training school for nurses, which was 
opened by the admission of eight pupils. During the year 
1885 the average number of patients treated per day was 
over 45, while during the last quarter of the year there was 
an average of eighty-eight patients in the hospital daily. 
The second year of the continuance of the institution in its 
new building was marked by a legacy of $10,000 from the 
estate of Miss Jane Holmes. Subsequently Mrs. Robert 
Pitcairn presented the institution with an ambulance, and 
Mrs. William Thaw supplied the horses for its use. Ad- 
joining buildings were purchased for a laundry and as a 
pavilion for cases of infectious disease. At a meeting 
held April ninth, 1889, a deed and declaration of trust was 
created, under which an endowment fund was commenced, 
and the Fidelity Title and Trust Company, of Pittsburgh, 
was designated to hold in perpetuity such funds, gifts, and 
securities as might be donated to the hospital for the en- 
dowment fund. The fund commenced its operation with 
securities amounting to about $12,000 on deposit. 

During the year ending March thirty-first, 1891, 1,634 
patients were treated in the hospital, of which 1,284 were 
charity patients, the daily average being ninety-nine 
patients. During the same time 14,160 prescriptions were 
issued from the dispensary, thus showing the extent of the 
business of the institution. The endowment fund for the 
same interval was increased by a bequest from Mr. William 
Thaw of $25,000, a donation of $5,000 from Mr. David Sut- 
ton, donations amounting to $2,400 from J. B. D. Meeds, and 
a bequest from Mrs. Eliza Hartley of $500. 

During the year ending March thirty-first, 1892, the 
hospital was enabled to obtain facilities for a complete eye 
and ear dispensary, and the most improved instruments 

[ 398 ] 



HOSPITALS AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS 

and apparatus were obtained from abroad. An important 
addition to the hospital organization was subsequently 
effected by which an annex four stories high was con- 
structed. This was used for the eye and ear dispensary on 
the first floor. The suggestion of the building came from 
the president of the Ladies' Association, Mrs. William 
Thaw, and was largely carried into effect through her 
efforts. The cost of the building was about $27,500, exclu- 
sive of equipment. 

The institution was so imfortunate during 1893 as to 
admit a case of small-pox. The patient was at once removed, 
upon the nature of the disease being ascertained, to the 
Municipal Hospital, but several cases subsequently de- 
veloped in the building. On November twenty-second, 1893, 
the city authorities established a quarantine against the 
hospital, which was strictly maintained until December 
thirteenth. The whole edifice was afterwards subjected to 
a thorough course of fumigation and disinfection, and tlie 
whole interior of the building was repainted and varnished. 

In February, 1894, the doors were again thrown open, and 
in less than two weeks everything was in full operation. 

The record of the year ending March thirty-first, 1897, 
showed that 1,716 patients had been admitted, and that one 
hundred and seven additional patients remained under 
treatment. Of this entire number 1,491 were on the charity 
list. The daily average number of patients was ninety- 
seven. The total number of ambulance calls was one hun- 
dred and eighty-six, the total number of calls from out- 
patients to the dispensaries was 14,445. In the eye and 
ear dispensary the number of applications for treatment 
was 4,449. The cost of maintaining the plant in operation 
for the year was $50,056.13, and taking everything into 
account, the cost of each patient per diem was $1.35. 

In the report of the Executive Committee for 1905 the 
declaration is made that the hospital has reached the limit 
of its capacity, and that the location has long since ceased 
either to be pleasant or desirable. This being fully recog- 
nized as the true state of affairs, another site for the hospi- 
tal has been chosen on Centre avenue in the Shady Side 
district. Thoroughly accessible to the Shady Side station 

[ 399 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

and on high ground, where, being aware of the past history 
of this institution, the community has entire faith that the 
hospital will develop its usefulness. 

The hospital, since its establishment in 1866, has treated 
45,000 patients. It is impossible to imagine what would be 
the outcome in these great turbulent cities of to-day were 
it not for the help of the hospitals. 

The Medical Board is composed of: C. C. Rinehart, 
M. D., consulting physician; L. H. Willard, M. D., C. P. 
Seip, M. D., S. M. Rinehart, M. D., E. R. Gregg, M. D., 
J. H. McClelland, M. D., C. H. Hofmann, M. D., W. A. 
Stewart, M. D., R. W. McClelland, M. D., J. H. Thompson, 
M. D., C. I. Wendt, M. D., W. W. Blair, M. D., H. B. Bryson, 
M. D., J. K. Perrine, M. D., H. A. Roscoe, M. D., G. A. 
Mueller, M. D., J. C. Calhoun, M. D., C. F. Bingaman, M. D., 
W. J. Martin, M. D., Z. T. Miller, M. D., W. F. Edmundson, 
M. D., W. D. King, M. D., J. B. McClelland, M. D., Leon 
Thurston, M. D., M. J. Chapman, M. D., H. S. Nicholson, 
M. D., R. S. Marshall, M. D., H. W. Fulton, M. D., V. S. 
Gaggin, M. D., W. Joline Martin, M. D., R. T. White, M. D., 
F. V. Wcoldridge, M. D., Howard W. Taylor, M. D. 

Allegheny General Hospital, 

The Allegheny General Hospital was granted a charter 
by the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny county on 
October eighteenth, 1882, and while the first steps taken were 
embarrassed with financial difficulties, the institution from 
the time of its opening until December thirty-first, 1887, 
had treated 982 cases, at a cost per day, per patient, of 
96.43 cents. 

In 1887 an addition was made to the original hospital by 
the purchase of an adjoining three-story commodious house, 
a portion of which was rebuilt. 

The crowded condition of the wards in 1890 made it a 
necessity to erect an annex, this supplying an additional 
cheerful and well-lighted ward, with accommodation for 
twenty-five beds. The managers were also enabled through 
the bequest of William Thaw to apply $20,000 to the pur- 
chase of a large adjoining lot, the balance of the purchase 
money, $25,000, having been secured through a loan. 

[ 400 ] 



HOSPITALS AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS 

The institution received very material help from the 
Ladies' Society, and by bequests and by liberal contribu- 
tions from private citizens. 

In 1903 it was acknowledged that the condition of the 
building was such that to continue the work a new building 
must be erected. This was undertaken b}^ a strong com- 
mittee of citizens, the Eev. Maitland Alexander, Mr. D. E. 
Park, Mr. J. N. Davidson, and Mr. Joseph G. Siebeneck. 
These gentlemen secured the necessary amount to justify 
them in the erection of a magnificent hospital building, 
which has since been completed, for the new Allegheny 
General Hospital. Even the first six months indicated the 
desirability of the new building. All the other depart- 
ments increased, and the hospital is on the high road of 
success. 

The number of patients treated during the year 1905 
was 3,111 ; emergency cases treated, but not remaining in 
the hospital, 752 ; in the dispensary only, 531 ; making a 
total of 4,394. The daily average during th© year was 189. 

The staff at present is composed of: W. S. Huselton, 
M. D., X. 0. Werder, M. D., H. K. Beatty, M. D., J. H. 
Wright, M. D., 0. L. Miller, M. D., C. B. King, M. D., C. H. 
Voight, M. D., E. G. Herron, M. D., 0. C. Gaub, M. D., 
J. C. Ohail, M. D., J. Wolf, M. D., Adolph Koenig, M. D., 
Samuel McNaugher, M. D., F. Blume, M. D., F. F. Simpson, 
M. D., Harold Miller, M. D., John S. Mabon, M. D., C. C. 
Sandels, M. D., J. A. Lippincott, M. D., J. C. Duncan, M. D., 
Robert Milligan, M. D., Wm. B. Ewing, M. D., Theodore 
Diller, M. D., T. M. T. McKennan, M. D., T. L. Hazzard, 
M. D., R. H. Boggs, M. D., R. G. Burns, M. D., David Silver, 
M. D., Theodore J. Elterich, M. D. 

The South Side Hospital. 

The present South Side Hospital is the outcome of two 
smaller hospitals that have existed there at various times. 
In 1871 a pesthouse was erected on Thirty-fourth street, 
but Mr. Ormsby procured an injunction and prevented its 
use for this purpose. Dr. J. M. Duff endeavored to start 
a small accident hospital in 1889. This was successful, for 
26 [ 401 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

such an institution was extremely necessary, owing to the 
adjacent mills. In 1891 a general meeting was called and 
a large number of people responded. This meeting was 
addressed by Drs. Thomas and Duff on the needs of the 
hospital, and immediately thereafter the Ladies' Aid 
Society of the South Side Hospital was formed, with Mrs. 
McMillan as president, and the work of this society is the 
splendid hospital building of South Twentieth street. The 
corner stone was laid in 1893, and the cost of the present 
building was $150,000, which was met entirely by sub- 
scriptions. It is supported by State aid, patients' fees, 
and subscriptions. The work of the hospital is, naturally, 
largely emergency, and in compliance to the condition of 
their locality, the hospital has arranged for the care of 
contagious diseases. 

This much-needed establishment is primarily the work 
of F. K. Gearing, A. D. Brewster, M. D., M. A. Arnholt, 
M. D., John Milton Duff, M. D., Godfrey Stengel, T. D. 
Thomas, M. D.. J. O'C. Campbell, Thos. Sankey, Wal- 
lace Frost, A. H. Heisey, J. L. Lewis, M. G. Frank, Mat- 
thew Chambers, and J. S. Felker, in conjunction 
with the efficient work of the Ladies' Aid Society, the offi- 
cers of which are: Mrs. Samuel S. Miller, Mrs. Charles 
Schwarm, Miss M. E. Hare, Mrs. M. B. Redman, Mrs. John 
AUdred, Miss Margaret Davis, Mrs. John H. Nusser, Mrs. 
T. G. Jones, Mrs. Henry Stamm, Mrs. D. Challinor, Mrs. 
J. P. Beech, Mrs. J. P. Kenney, and Mrs. W. H. Donley. 

St. John's General Hospital. 

Another district of Pittsburgh, long without this class of 
institution, which might be said to be its necessity, was 
Woods Run. It ministers, of course, partly to the accident 
cases which are the inevitable result of the work in the 
great mills. The hospital is in charge of the Protestant 
Deaconesses from the Mary J. Drexel Home of Philadel- 
phia. The original Board of Directors consisted of the 
Rev. J. H. Schuh, Mr. G. D. Simon, Mr. J. H. Hespeneide, 
Mr. James W. Arrott, Dr. W. J. Langfitt, Mr. W. T. Brad- 
berry, Mr. W. H. Conley, Mr Henry Buhl, Jr., Mr. Alex- 

[ 402 ] 



HOSPITALS AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS 

ander Hamilton. The building was commenced in the 
Summer of 1895, and when completed cost about seventeen 
thousand dollars. 

The Ladies' Aid Society of the hospital has been ex- 
tremely efficient both as an excutive committee of the 
hospital and in the raising of money. The work of this 
hospital is another of the answers to the many calls for 
help. 

Passavant Hospital. 

It is said that the Passavant Hospital, first called the 
Pittsburgh Infirmary, is the oldest Protestant hospital in 
America. It is, at any rate, the oldest Protestant hospital 
in Pittsburgh, having commenced its work in 1849, two years 
after the beginning of the '' Mercy." Dr. W. A. Passavant, 
with his wife and the aid of the Sisters of the Institution 
of the Protestant Deaconesses, established a small house 
for the care of the sick. The neighborhood objected and 
the mayor and council requested the removal of the institu- 
tion. In compliance with this request, property was pur- 
chased at the corner of Roberts and Reed streets, where 
the hospital has since lived. The building of 1851 was out- 
grown and the beautiful, substantial and convenient build- 
ing of to-day was erected in 1895. The German Deaconesses 
are in charge. 

But this charity, for it has always been that in the most 
essential sense of the word, is due to the Passavants ; Dr. 
and Mrs. Passavant and their son. This son was one of 
the best citizens Pittsburgh ever had, a man both gentle 
and strong, who, following the footsteps of other good 
men, instituted for that strangely afflicted class of 
mortals, the epileptics, a home in Rochester, Pa. These 
unfortunate outcasts, the dread of the unafflicted, here find 
refuge and in some cases restoration. Mr. Passavant 's 
hands were upheld in his undertaking for the care of the 
epileptics by Mrs. William Thaw, whose great generosity 
made this work possible. Many other women of Pittsburgh 
have aided, and the care of the unfortunates is left to the 
Order of Protestant Deaconesses. 

[ 403 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 



The Pittsburgh Hospital for Children. 

The generosity of Miss Jane Holmes made possible this 
" special hospital," which was incorporated the eighteenth 
of March, 1887, and the present building opened in 1890. 
In compliance to its charter this institution is entirely free. 
If there is room, the only requirement is the doctor's cer- 
tificate for the small sufferer. 

The hospital is managed by a Board of Lady Visitors, 
and has been throughout its career exceedingly fortunate 
in the way of gifts. It has, of course, appealed keenly at 
various times to men and women whose great wealth has 
been powerless to prevent the suffering or to save the lives 
of their own children and, naturall}^ they have turned im- 
pulsively to help this institution. The redemption of the 
world undoubtedly lies in the wise expression of love for 
children, and this '^ special hospital," largely orthoepedic, 
though a contagious ward has been built, is but one of the 
many expressions. 

The Eye and Ear Hospital of Pittsburgh was organized 
in 1895. This special branch of medical science has, through 
this institution, ministered to the relief of many who, pre- 
vious to this time, had been compelled to suffer. While the 
Eye and Ear Hospital of Pittsburgh is in no sense a charitj'^, 
it must, under its charter, minister without charge to all 
those who suffer from any diseases of the e3^e and ear, and 
who are unable to pay for such treatment. The most skill- 
ful specialists of the city comprise its staff of physicians, 
and in addition to the board of officers, consisting of the 
most influential women of Pittsburgh, there is a long list of 
patronesses whose co-operation and assistance in the work 
of the hospital has been most beneficial. 

Tpie Reineman Maternity Hospital was the first institu- 
tion of its kind in Western Pennsylvania. It was the gift 
of Mr. Adam Reineman. This institution became a part of 
the Western University by a deed of conveyance to the trus- 
tees in 1894. The building has been enlarged and remodeled 
and ministers in two ways to the necessities of the com- 
munity, first in its character as hospital, and second, as a 

[ 404 ] 



HOSPITALS AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS 

means of instruction to the members of the graduating class 
in the Medical Department of the Western ITniversit}^ 

The Rosalie Home, Foundling Asylum and Maternity 
HospiTAi- opened its doors on November twenty-sixth, 1891, 
under the auspices of the Sisters of Charity, with the medi- 
cal department under the supervision of Dr. X. 0. Werder 
and Dr. Charles S. Shaw. The institution met much opposi- 
tion from some people, who perhaps justly claimed that an 
institution of this kind is unwise. It is distinctly said that 
this hospital is meant for two classes of persons, those in 
whose cases there is a desire and hope to preserve indi- 
vidual character and reputation of family, and second, those 
married women, who, owing to pecuniary circumstances, 
cannot receive the care they need. However, even if the 
kindly women in charge are accused of being lenient, Christ 
Himself was lenient to the woman who repented; and the 
care of these unfortunate little ones must surely appeal to 
every member of the community. At any rate, the institu- 
tion has prospered amazingly, and a Board of Managers, 
among whom are the best and strongest men of the city, 
stand back of it with their wealth and their judgment. 

The Bethesda Home is the city's attempt to minister to 
the city's shame. It is indeed right that the State should 
appropriate money for the final care of the women it fails 
to protect. That is, fails to protect inasmuch as, knowing 
the prevalence of vice, it does not authoritatively prevent it. 

The Bethesda Home was opened in 1890, and has, through 
the management of capable women, the appropriations of 
the State, and the contributions of various citizens, con- 
tinued to do efficiently the work for which it was designed. 

The Curtis Home for Destitute Women and Girls was 
organized in 1893, as the result of the terrible experience 
in Pittsburgh through the panic of 1892, and the shutting 
down of the mills ; for, when the men cannot work, the 
women and girls are destitute. It was originally chartered 
as the " Moorhead Women's Christian Temperance Union 
Home," but the title was changed to the present one in 1897. 
The work has, however, become permanent and is recog- 
nized by the State, wliich at various times has made mod- 
erate appropriations for its maintenance. 

[ 405 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Among the charities assisted by the women of Pittsburgh 
is The Home for Aged and Infirm Colored Women. It was 
incorporated in 1885, a modest house purchased, and the 
State has appropriated one thousand to fifteen hundred 
dollars annually since 1891 for its maintenance. 

The Home for Colored Children. Mrs. Felix Brunot, 
Miss Jane Holmes, and Miss Jane B. Holmes organized this 
Home for Colored Children between two and twelve years 
of age, in 1880. The State has made liberal allowance for 
this charity, and it is one upon which demands are exten- 
sively made. 

The Children's Aid Society of Western Pennsylvania 
dates from 1885. It was another work of the thoughtful 
women of Pittsburgh. The work of this Society is carried 
on in an office, and it is, just as its title indicates, a 
children 's aid society. The children are sent, as their cases 
may require, to various institutions. 

The Western Pennsylvania Humane Society declares, 
in the second section of its charter, that the '' corporation 
is formed for the purpose of prevention of cruelty to ani- 
mals, children, and aged persons." This bespeaks the bar- 
barism that exists among us, for the stories that the officers 
of this society can tell are scarcely credited by those whom 
God has permitted to be born among the more civilized; 
that is, the gentler of His people. The work of this society 
has been carried on in Pittsburgh since 1874, with appro- 
priations from the State, with constant contributions from 
the men and women of wealth, who realize the necessity for 
the work which this society undoubtedly accomplishes. 

The Pittsburgh Association for the Improvement of 
THE Poor was first organized December fifteenth, 1875. 
This was again a movement that grew into a systematized 
organization through demand. The winter of 1874 and 
1875 in Pittsburgh must always be remembered for its 
severity. There were many reasons for destitution, and 
it was impossible to relieve this without system. The plan 
of work was to divide the city into districts, each of such 
size that the Visitors could investigate all the cases re- 
ported to the office within each limit. It is the duty of these 
Visitors not only to help materially such cases as require 

[ 406 ] 



HOSPITALS AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS 

it, but to endeavor to lift these people to a higher level. 
The work accomplished by this organization is practically 
incalculable. 

KiNGSLEY House. This house for *' settlement work '* 
was founded in 1894, through the energy of Dr. George 
Hodges, then the rector of Calvary Church. Like Hull 
House, in Chicago, and the various settlements in New 
York, its purpose is the improving of the ethical, social, and 
economic conditions among the less fortunate class. The 
success of Kingsley House has been phenomenal, due to 
the thoughtful and steadfast work of the men and women 
who inaugurated and who have carried it on. The Lillian 
Home is a country house and is filled during the summer 
with relays of mothers and children, sent for two weeks' 
vacation. It is this class of work that will finally eradicate 
the worst evils that exist in the slums of the cities. 

The Pittsburgh Newsboys' Home began with a meeting 
held on the fifteenth of March, 1885. In 1887 it moved to a 
building on Old avenue, and an agitation was started to 
raise thirty thousand dollars to erect a new building. Fore- 
front in this was the Press. Mrs. Mary E. Schenley do- 
nated the lot, which is an exceedingly valuable one, bounded 
by Forbes and Shingiss streets and Sixth avenue. Mr. 
C. L. Magee, always an intimate friend of the newsboys, 
sent his check for ten thousand dollars, which, with the 
Press fund, the thirty thousand dollars necessary were pro- 
cured and the charter obtained in 1888, the result being the 
stately and capacious Home for the " newsies." The num- 
ber of boys taken care of is about sixty. They are given a 
comfortable home, with food, lodging, education, and cloth- 
ing, if need be. Each boy is expected to pay according to 
his ability, and may remain until he has reached the age 
of sixteen. In case of illness they are, of course, cared for. 
The Home has received generous appropriations from the 
State and has the aid of a strong committee of men and 
women interested in the welfare of the boys. 

The Pittsburgh and Allegheny Home for the Friend- 
less was organized in 1861. It seems as if this must be one 
of the many institutions that came into being when the men 
of Pittsburgh fought for the integrity of their country, and 

[ 407 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

when so many of them never returned. The object of this 
Home is to furnish food and clothing and schooling for 
neglected and friendless children, and also to receive tem- 
porarily and permanently those children whose parents 
are unable to care for them. Captain J. J. Vandergrift 
gave a summer home for these waifs in Alpsville, ou the 
B. & 0. Railroad. It is an endowed institution, but is, how- 
ever, partly dependent on State appropriation and the 
generosity of the community. 

The Protestant Orphan Asylum. One of the very 
earliest charities of Pittsburgh was this Protestant Orphan 
Asylum, organized in 1833. The work has now, as it has 
always had, the co-operation of some of the best women of 
the city. Mrs. Letitia Holmes is president of the Board of 
Managers at present. The home itself is well situated and 
judiciously managed. 

The Protestant Home for Incurables, on Butler street, 
near Fifty-fifth, was founded by Jane Holmes, a woman to 
whom many are grateful. It was incorporated in 1883 and 
opened in 1885, and provides a home for persons suffering 
from incurable diseases. The building is large, thoroughly 
equipped, and is surrounded by seventeen acres of ground. 
The present number of inmates is thirty-seven women and 
ten men. There are eighteen attendants; the annual ex- 
penses amount to about fifteen thousand dollars. This is 
met by the income from the endowment, fees, and donations. 
It is removed from the obloquy of being purely a char- 
itable institution, as an admission fee of two hundred dol- 
lars is required. 

The Western Pennsylvania Institution for the In- 
struction OF the Deaf and Dumb secured from the State 
Legislature in 1876 sixteen thousand dollars, with which to 
open a home for this particularly afflicted class. It was 
first situated at Turtle Creek, and was afterwards moved 
to an especially erected building at Edgewood Park, Pa. 
This is not merely a home, but is primarily an educational 
institution, and has received from the State, since 1872, 
more than one million dollars, and many large bequests, as 
well as donations from individuals. The girls and boys, in 
addition to their schooling, are taught various trades, 

[ 408 ] 



HOSPITALS AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS 

through which means it becomes possible for them to be 
self-supporting citizens. 

The Western Pennsylvania Institution for the Blind. 
Christ made the blind to see, and then man's ability to help 
this afflicted class seemed to cease, for it seemed that God 
alone could help them. But again, that kindliness and sym- 
pathy that had relieved the sufferings of various classes, 
induced Jane Holmes to leave money for an institution 
wherein the blind should be educated. For this purpose 
Mrs. Mary E. Schenley gave property, beautifully situated, 
and, with the aid of the State, the beneficence of these two 
women, under the management of the Pittsburgh Associa- 
tion for the Improvement of the Poor, the plan was actual- 
ized. In 1890 the really splendid building was ready for 
pupils — pupils rather than inmates, for it is in no sense 
a retreat for blind people, nor is it a hospital for the treat- 
ment of diseases of the eye, but it is strictly educational in 
all its interests. It is the aim and purpose of this institu- 
tion to give the blind youth of this section of the State a 
liberal education, and, also to give them such training in 
the way of music and instruction in industrial pursuits as 
will aid them to become independent and useful members 
of society, despite the incomprehensible darkness in which 
they must dwell. 

The work of the Christian Associations covers a unique 
field, but it is so intrinsic that once initiated it becomes a 
part of the work of the civilizing done in the cities. This 
work has been carried on with unusual efficiency in Pitts- 
burgh, the social conditions of the place lending themselves 
with peculiar aptness to the great organizations. 

The Young Men's Christian Association of Pittsburgh. 

In grateful memory of Sir George Williams, of London, 
the founder of the Young Men's Christian Association, who 
entered into his rest November sixth, 1905, the Young Men's 
Christian Association of Pittsburgh adopted resolutions. 
George Williams, on June sixth, 1844, was the prime mover 
in a company of twelve young men who met together and 
accomplished the parent organization of what has grown to 

[ 409 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

be one of the largest associations in the world. There are 
now seven thousand Young Men's Christian Associations 
in fifty different nations, with a total enrollment of about 
seven hundred thousand men, and realty holdings and other 
appurtenances reaching the value of over forty million 
dollars. Rumors of this new movement reached Pittsburgh 
in 1853-54. Articles appeared in the papers written by a 
student in the Western Theological Seminary, William E. 
Hunt. The initiation of the Y. M. C. A, in Pittsburgh is 
accordingly due to the young student mentioned and Robert 
C. Totten, who called the first meeting. Among the promi- 
nent men who responded were A, F. Brooks, S. S. Bryan, 
Daniel Cooper, William Frew, George D. Hall, and Thomas 
H. Lane. Very shortly the pastors of the Protestant 
churches became interested. Meetings were held through- 
out the Spring of that year, and the result was the organiza- 
tion that has meant so much to the boys and young men of 
the two cities. Mr. R. C. Totten was the first chairman; 
Thomas H. Lane was the first president; Daniel Cooper 
and William Frew, vice-presidents ; George D. Hall, record- 
ing secretary ; Rev. Henry Reeck, corresponding secretary ; 
E. D. Jones, treasurer, and Henry Lavely, librarian. The 
constitution was modeled after the New York association. 
The first home of the Association was in the rooms over 
O'Hara and Denny's glass warehouse, corner of Market 
and Third streets. Its growth was very rapid. At the close 
of eighteen months the total enrollment was one hundred 
and ten. The first act of civic beneficence accomplished by 
the Association was the soliciting of coal and the distribu- 
tion thereof to the needy. Among the men listed are found 
the names so familiar in other civic departments. In 1858 
they established daily prayer in Liberty Hall, at noon. 
With few retrograde movements, the Y. M. C. A. went 
briskly forward until that memorable day, the fifteenth of 
April, 1861. Very often throughout the years that fol- 
lowed there were not men enough present to form a quorum, 
so no business could be transacted. In 1865 the work was 
taken up again, but so many of the old " young men " 
would never again answer the roll call that a new organiza- 
tion was formed, under the name of the Y. M. C. A. of Pitts- 

[ 410 ] 



HOSPITALS AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS 

burgh. The few who were left came together and sent the 
following memorial to the new Y. M. C. A. It read : ' ' Re- 
solved, that we, the officers of the Pittsburgh Young Men's 
Christian Association, do hereby formally dissolve our or- 
ganization and hand over to the new organization our name 
and records, and wish it God speed." This blessing has 
certainly carried. The Association was incorporated July 
eighth, 1869, and has grown to be a force in civic life. The 
evening classes for young men include Commercial Law, 
Public Speaking and Parliamentary Law, Engineering 
Mathematics, Arithmetic, Working Mathematics, Electricty, 
Metallurgy, Chemistry, Architectural Drawing, Mechanical 
Drawing, Freehand Drawing and Designing, French, Span- 
ish, German, Italian, English, and Spelling, Vocal Music, 
Bookkeeping, Stenography and Penmanship. The Associa- 
tion owns its building, on the corner of Penn avenue and 
Seventh street, erected in 1883-84, at a cost of one hundred 
thousand dollars. There have been established four 
branches : in Lawrenceville, on the corner of Butler and 
Forty-third streets; in East Liberty, corner of Penn and 
Center avenues ; the Pennsylvania Railroad Department, at 
Twenty-eighth street, and at Pitcairn, Pa. ; the Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad's Second Department, at Forty- third street, 
and the Allegheny Valley Railway. Mr. H. Kirke Porter 
is the president of the present board of trustees ; Robert S. 
Smith, treasurer; George F. Robinson, secretary; James 
Laughlin, Jr., Thomas M. Armstrong, W. N. Frew, Joseph 
Buffington, Durbin Home, James H. Lockhart and Robert 
A. Orr. 

The Young Women's Christian Association. 

The Young Women's Christian Association was organ- 
ized in the Fourth Avenue Baptist Church in 1890. The 
line of its work is practically the same as the Young 
Men 's Association, except that the Y. W. C. A. attempts to 
extend to young women away from home a certain pro- 
tection, either in its own building or in the selection of a 
proper boarding house. The first Board included Mrs. W. 
.R. Thompson, president; Mrs. H. K. Porter, Mrs. A. H. 

[ 411 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Norcross, Mrs. J. L. Lewis, Miss A. D. Robinson and Miss 
Sarah E. Pence. When Mrs. Thompson was compelled to 
resign, the work was taken up by Miss S. E. Pence, who for 
ten years gave to it lavishly of her generous, kindly heart 
and of her wisdom. The many branches of benevolence un- 
dertaken by the Association can be best understood from a 
statistical list. Library, number of books issued, 1,104; 
number of regular boarders, 40; transient boarders, 246; 
lunches served to the public, 54,712 ; dinners served to pub- 
lic, 9,747; number of students enrolled, Bible classes, 200; 
gymnasium classes, 358; domestic science classes, 274; do- 
mestic art classes, 400; educational classes, 179; making a 
total of 1,411. Membership: 

Central — 

Honorary 2 

Life 34 

Sustaining 108 

Associate 558 

Active 1,505 

2 207 

South Side Branch 225 

Lawrenceville Branch 148 

Wilmerding Branch 95 

468 

Total 2,675 



The Central Home is at No. 120 Fifth street, Pittsburgh, 
Pa. There is a South Side Branch, one at Lawrenceville, 
and one at Wilmerding, The stated object being " The im- 
provement of the ethical, social, intellectual, and spiritual 
condition of all young women." Towards this great end 
the Association is certainly striving. 

The Presbyterian Hospital op Pittsburgh and Alle- 
gheny has continued in active existence since 1895. The 
Columbia Hospital in Wilkinsburg, the Children's 
Country Home in Oakmont, The Christian Home for 
Girls, The Christian Home for Women, the several Day 
Nurseries and temporary homes for little children, the 
GusKY Orphanage, the various Homes for the Aged, the 
House of the Little Sisters of the Poor, the House of 
the Merciful Savior, the Roman Catholic Asylums, which 

[ 412 ] 



HOSPITALS AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS 

have been mentioued, the United Presbytekian Home for 
Aged People, the Orphan Asylum of the same denomina- 
tion, the German and Protestant Home for the Aged, and 
the German Protestant Orphan Asylum, the Florence 
Crittenton Home and Rescue Association, the Young 
Women's Friendly Institution and Young Women's 
Boarding Home, one being in Pittsburgh and one in Alle- 
gheny ; such are the homes and houses, besides the Hospital 
Saturday and Sunday Association, the Fruit and Flower 
Mission which is not necessary, but which brings light to 
many weary eyes and a smile to many worn faces. All these 
are for the homeless suffering, and in addition, a splendid 
free bath establishment, for which Mr. Henry Phipps has 
done so much, aided by a fine corps of women; these, 
and some unmentioned, are the benevolent institutions for 
which the citizens of the community have expended millions 
and millions of dollars gladly, praying only for the relief 
of the afflicted and sore distressed. 



[ 413 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 



War of 1812.* 



*' If ever a nation had justifiable cause for war, that 
nation is the United States. If ever a people had motives 
to fight, we are that people. ' ' Governor Snyder thus sum- 
marized the feeling of Pittsburghers in his call for Pennsyl- 
vania's quota of fourteen thousand militia in 1812. The 
" Pittsburgh Blues," already organized, with James R. 
Butler as captain, and regarded with much pride in the 
town, responded and were accepted. Their part against 
the really disgraceful conduct of Great Britain has been 
recorded in the *' short and simple " journal of one of the 
company. 

Pentland 's Journal. 

Extract from Mr. Charles Pentland 's Journal, whilst per- 
forming a tour of twelve months' service as a member of 
the " Pittsburgh Blues," commanded by Captain Butler, 
in the service of the United States. 

*' September 10, 1812, encamped on Grant's Hill. 

" Sunday, 20th, decamped under orders to join the north- 
western army; marched one mile over the Allegheny river. 

** 21st, marched to the Ohio; waited for boats. 

* ' 23rd, embarked on a boat ; arrived at Beaver the 24th. 

" 25th, at Steubenville. 

* The French and English strife, the Revolution and the border wars have 
been treated in another part of this volume, Frontier Times. 

[ 414 ] 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

" 26tli, at Wheeling, remained till the evening of the 
27th. 

'* Oct. 1st, arrived at Marrietta. 

'' Oct. 6th, at Gallipolis, remained till the 8th. 

*' Sunday, 11th, Capt. Alexander's boat struck a snag and 
was abandoned. 

" 12th, arrived at Limestone (Maysville). 

'* 13th, at night, landed about two miles above Cincin- 
nati. 

'' 14th, marched into Cincinnati, encamped below the 
town, and remained till the 28th ; then marched five miles to 
' Hutchinson's.' 

" 29th, marched twelve miles to Price's. 

'^ 30th, to Lebanon. 

" 31st, to Waynesville. 

*' November 1st, to Xenia. 

'' 2nd, to Yellow Springs. 

^* 3rd, to Springfield. 

'' 4th, to Markle's. 

^' 5th, marched eleven miles, near Darby. 

" 6th, to Franklintown, the Headquarters of the north- 
western army, and remained till November 25th; this day 
marched two miles on a secret expedition. 

*' 26th, marched fifteen miles, over Darby Creek. 

'' 27th, marched twenty-one miles, 

'' 28th, to Springfield. 

' ' 29th, near to Xenia. 

' ' 30th, into Xenia, and remained till December 5th ; then 
marched into Dayton, and remained till the 9th; then 
crossed the Miami river. 

'' 10th, marched to New Lexington. 

" 12th, marched seventeen miles. The object of the ex- 
pedition was promulgated. 

" Sunday, 13th, to Granville, and crossed the river, 

" 14th, marched fifteen miles into the wilderness. 

" 15th, twenty miles. 

" 16th, marched all day, and after supper continued the 
march till daylight. 

'' 17th, marched into the Indian town, on the Mississin- 
newa river, fifteen miles above the junction with the 

[ 415 ] 



THE HISTORY OP PITTSBURGH 

Wabash ; captured a few defenseless Indians, and encamped 
in the village. 

' ' 18th, the battle of the Mississinnewa was fought. The 
company lost one man ; John Francis, killed ; Elliott, Dodd, 
Read and Chess wounded. Total loss of the detachment, 
viz: eight killed and from twenty-five to thirty wounded. 
Decamped and returned two miles. 

'' 19th, marched ten miles on our return to the settle- 
ments. 

" Sunday, 20th, marched twelve miles. 

'' 21st, fifteen. 

** 22nd, this day met a reinforcement with a small supply 
of provisions. 

' ' 23rd, marched to within twelve miles of Greenville, and 
met another detachment with more supplies. 

" 24th, to Greenville. 

" 25th, remained till noon, and marched seven miles. 

'' 26th, to New Lexington. 

" 27th, to Dayton, and remained till January 4th, 1813; 
this day marched ten miles. 

"■ 5th, to Springfield. 

" 6th, to Markle's. 

" 7th, to Darby. 

" 8th, to Franklintown, and remained till the third of 
February; then crossed the river to Columbus, and some 
deserted. 

' ' 4th, to Worthington. 

" 5th, to Delaware; N. M. Mathews joined the company. 

'' 6th, seven miles. 

" Sunday, 7th, to Scioto Block House. 

" 8th, to Upper Sandusky, and joined the command of 
Colonel Campbell. 

'' 9tli, nine miles. 

" 10th, marched as usual, but were detained the greater 
part of the day by a false alarm ; made four miles. 

'' 11th, to the Artillery Block House. 

*' 12th, to within one mile of Hull's road. 

" 13th, four miles, and the road almost impassable. 

" Sunday, 14th, remained, prepared sleds, cars, and pro- 
cured forage. 

[ 416 ] 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

' ' 15th, road improved by severe frost, and reached Block 
house swamp. 

'' 16th, to within four miles of camp Meigs, and en- 
camped on the bluff of Miami river. 

" 18th, into Camp Meigs, Head Quarters, situated at the 
Miami Rapids. 

' ' March 5th, marched to Presque Isle, eighteen miles ; to 
reinforce a detachment sent to burn the Queen Charlotte, 
one of the enemy's vessels, supposed to be frozen up, and 
met the detachment returned, having been unsuccessful; 
returned ten miles to Swan Creek. 
* * 6th, returned to Camp. 

** April 26th, siege of Fort Meigs, commenced by the 
enemy, who were employed in erecting batteries till the 
first of May, when they commenced cannonading, which 
they continued till the 5th, when a reinforcement, consist- 
ing of United States volunteers, arrived under the com- 
mand of General Greene, and we were ordered out to cover 
their entry into the garrison, which was effected with some 
loss to the Kentucky troops. 

' ' The same day the United States volunteers, and several 
other companies of the 17th and 18th regiment, made a 
general sortie, under the command of Colonel John Miller, 
which resulted in the capture of about forty-two of the 
enemj^'s regiments, and the routing of their Indian allies, 
with a considerable loss of American troops in killed and 
wounded. The Pittsburgh Blues had two men killed ; James 
Newman and Mr. Richardson ; five wounded ; Willock, Ross, 
Williams, Dobbins and Wahrendorff. The attack was made 
on the enemy's battery, on the opposite side of the river, 
at the same time by General Clay's Kentucky militia, com- 
manded by Captain Dudley, which terminated in a complete 
routing and capturing of that detachment, and death of the 
commanding officer. The enemy was quiet and on the tenth 
the siege was declared to be raised. 

" May 11th, Major Ball's squadron moved off, and Gen- 
eral Harrison left for the settlement. 

'' June 20th, received information of an intended attack 
by the arrival of a Kentuckian and Canadian from the 
27 [ 417 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

enemy's quarters. Expresses were despatched and prepa- 
rations made for the reception of the enemy. Shortly after- 
wards Colonel Johnson's regiment of Kentucky mounted 
men arrived, and immediately thereafter General Harrison 
arrived with a detachment of the 24th infantry, commanded 
by Colonel Anderson, and preparations for the defence of 
the fort were continued. General Harrison left the camp 
again; Generals Greene and Clay in command. 

'' July 18th, Captain Butler returned to the company 
(having been absent to improve his health). 

" July 21st, the picket guard was attacked by the In- 
dians, and several men were killed and captured. Lieuten- 
ant arrived in camp from Portage river Block House 

with nine men, pursued on his way by the Indians. 

*' 22nd, the enemy quiet. 

" 23rd, an express arrived; the camp was alarmed by 
the firing of small arms, being a strategem of the Indians 
(representing the fighting of two bodies of men at a 
distance, and approaching the garrison), which was in- 
tended to draw out a portion of the American troops in the 
fort. 

'' 26th and 27th, all quiet. 

" 28th, the enemy descended the river. 

'' 30th, a reconnoitering party was detached, who re- 
ported that the enemy had retired, and the siege raised. 

'' August 18th, the Pittsburgh Blues received orders to 
march to camp Seneca. 

*' 20th, marched to Portage river. 

" 21st, to camp Seneca. 

" 28th, to Fort Stevenson at Lower Sandusky. 

' ' 30th, marched for Cleveland, and arrived at Vermillion 
river. 

** September 1st, arrived at Cleveland. 

" 3rd, started for Beaver, arrived on the 7th, staid the 
8th. 

' ' 9th, marched to Davis 's tavern, four miles from Pitts- 
burgh. 

" 10th, arrived at Pittsburgh. Having completed a 
twelve months' tour, were discharged. 

[ 418 ] 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

** Names of the Members of the Pittsburgh Blues. 

'' Captain Butler, Lieutenant Mayer, Ensign Irwin, Tro- 
villo, Orderly; Willock, Third Sergeant; Patterson, First 
Corporal ; Pratt, Pollard, Park, Parker, Pentland, J. Davis, 
J. B. Davis, Elliott, Fourth Corporal ; English, McMasters, 
Robinson, Wilkins, Haven, Fourth Sergeant; Allison, Gra- 
ham, Chess, McFall, Maxwell, Mathews, McClany, McGiffin, 
Deal, Ross, Francis, killed in the action, December 19th, 
1812; Wahrendorff, Newman, killed in the action of May 
5th, 1813; Richardson, do.; Dodd, died in service; McKee, 
do.; Watt, Deemer, Dobbins, Thompson, Read, Third Cor- 
poral; Neville, Vernon, Whiedner, Swift, Hull, McNeal, Fair- 
field, Jones, Williams, Second Sergeant; Barney, Second 
Cororal ; Morse, deserted from Franklintown ; Marcy, Clark, 
Elliott, officers; F. Richards, officer's servant; W. Richards, 
do. 

'* Several of the Pittsburgh Blues and Petersburg Volun- 
teers were in Fort Stevenson, which was so gallantly de- 
fended by Captain George Croghan, and resulted favorably 
to the Americans." 

Pittsburgh furnished a part of the rigging for Commo- 
dore Perry's fleet, and a number of cannon were cast in the 
foundry on the corner of Fifth avenue and Smithfield 
street. These, with other munitions, were sent to New Or- 
leans to General Jackson in 1814. 

Mexican War (1846-48). 

Congress announced on the thirteenth of May, 1846, that 
a state of war existed between this nation and Mexico ; the 
overt act being due to Mexico. But no ringing call went out 
from Pennsylvania's Executive, Francis Shunk, that vi- 
brated into the patriotic hearts of men as when Governor 
Snyder had proclaimed their '' justifiable cause " in 1812. 
We were the aggressors, who harassed the Mexicans in 
their own territory to commit the overt act. We, the 
dwellers in the land of the free, the nurturers of weak 
nations, the drivers of slaves — we made it impossible for 
them to retain their national and personal respect. So, 

[ 419 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

with the fear of the weak for the bully, they fought. This 
was not a '* popular " war. The south sent two-thirds of 
the men who served, for the slave-holders desired the ex- 
tension of territory in that direction, to extend slavery. 
The New England States, New York, and Pennsylvania 
were slack in their sympathy and their help. But when the 
Government announced that a war existed, the loyalty that 
makes truth of the phrase, '* the king can do no wrong," 
brought forward a fine contingent of Pittsburgh men. 

Captain John Herron took out the Duquesne Grays, com- 
posed of William Trovillo, W. J. Ankrim, J. W. Hague, J. 
D. Mcllroy, J. G. Robinson, Robert Anderson, C. G. McLel- 
land, J. W. Kinkead, D. S. McClintock, C. W. Hambright, 
J. K. Gardner, R. Cunningham, H. B. Alward, C. W. Blake- 
man, J. Baker, W. Burns, H. Bates, H. Bennett, D. Clam- 
mer, James Calhoun, J. H. Cummins, R. D. Collins, I. Sey- 
mour, Thomas Davis, John Dalzell, R. C. Drum, Jonathan 
Downs, Johnson Elliott, I. S. Ebbert, Ralph Frost, T. B. 
Furnan, S. A. Glenn, G. S. Glenn, Charles Glenn, J. Gil- 
christ, Charles Hoffman, J. H. Herod, J. S. Hamilton, F. 
H. Jones, F. B. Johns, F. J. Kerr, Pliny Kelly, T. C. M. 
Kelly, H. Krutzelman, Joseph Keenan, V. Knapp, John 
Longstaff, Aaron Lovitt, B, G. Leeper, Seth Loomis, J. H. . 
Mundy, A. Musgrave, W. F. Mann, D. A. Mitchell, R. F. , 
Miller, A. E. Marshall, Norton McGiffin, James McDowell, , 
J. McMinn, James Noble, J. S. Negley, James Gray, T. R. , 
Owens, John Polland, H. C. Patrick, J. W. Parke, W. H. . 
Potter, James Phillips, W. Phillips, W. Phillips, Jr., 0. H. . 
Rippy, George Reams, Xlharles Smith, Robert Smith, S. D. . 
Sewell, S. C. Smith, W. Schmetz, J. Spencer, F. J. Thomas, , 
T. Thornburgh, S. Traver, D. S. Vernoy, F. Vandyke, Jr., , 
J. Wilson, B. F. Woods, W.: Winebiddle, S. Sloop. 

Captain Alexander Hays took out the Jackson Blues, , 
composed of: J. O'H. Denny, T. A. Rowley, W. A. Charlton, , 
A. Ferguson, J. Chalfant, H. Bateman, R. B. Young, A. P. . 
Stuart, R. McKee, H. J. Kennedy, C. E. Bruton, William i 
Byerly, George Miller, J. Armstrong, James Armstrong, 
Thomas Alexander, E. Barker, Charles Brison, S. D. 
Brown, W. S. Barker, Frederick Bowman, A. G. Beebee, J. 
Bowden, William Blakely, Samuel Black, Miles Brown, P. 

[ 420 ] 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

H. Cooley, John Condo, J. Dolan, A. McDonald, E. Ed- 
wards, Elias Faust, F. Fannemiller, George Fengle, D. 
Guyer, John Griffith, W. Graham, John Gibner, S. Hamil- 
ton, I. C. Hall, D. Hawkins, J. H. Hover, F. Hointen, D. 
Hager, John Hines, William Kennedy, T. Kain, J. Krine, 
William Layburn, J. Lynbart, J. McCutcheon, C. Mo wry, 
D. McMurtrie, M. Mason, T. Mclntyre, B. McNoley, J. Mc- 
Caffrey, William McDermott, John M. Needs, T. B. Ogden, 
J. Parker, J. Regan, C. Ribald, G. Richeberger, James T. 
Shannon, H. M. Shaw, H. Skiles, J. Sproat, J. Spitzley, 
John Shaffer, J. Savage, James B. Wright, William Sulli- 
van, G. Wilhelm, R. Wilson, J. Walker, Robert Woods, Otis 
Young, Eli Young, S. B. Young, C. F. Yohst, James Har- 
mon, Charles McDermott, James F. Morton, J. Barton, W. 
H. Worthington, Bernard Hose, Isaac Wright. 

According to some reports, Captain Robert Porter led a 
company, known as the Irish Greens, but it has been impos- 
sible to trace the record of this company. General Taylor 
and General Scott won this great war against Mexico, the 
Mexicans being wretchedly armed and poorly commanded, 
and we gained Texas and indirectly brought about our own 
Civil War, for, according to the Missouri Compromise, 
there could be no slavery in Texas, and it was the popular 
desire of the South that slavery should be extended to 
Texas. In addition we added later. New Mexico and Ari- 
zona. 

But Pittsburgh had done her part; she had sent, for her 
then capacity, immense ordnance. The city had been used 
as a point of departure for many troops, and the military 
feeling in the city throughout the war, owing to this cause, 
was kept warm. The bands played as the troops departed ; 
and the bands played for the worn and bedraggled troops 
that returned, for the climate had done as much damage as 
the bullets. Pittsburgh had, however, met and fulfilled her 
moral obligation to the Government and was satisfied. 

The War of 1861-1865. 

The first overt act of the War of the Rebellion occurred 
in Pittsburgh, and was committed by the Pittsburghers in 

[ 421 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBURGH 

refusing to allow the guns which Secretary Floyd ordered 
south to leave the city. This was at the close of the year 
1860. The men of the town arose in solid mass with but 
one instinct regarding the removal of the guns from the 
Arsenal. Special messages were sent to Washington while 
the guns were held, but even if the order had not been 
rescinded they would never have left Pittsburgh. Of 
course, now, there is little doubt in the minds of most men 
that Secretary Floyd's honor was unimpeccable, but in 
those days it was a question. The Dispatch raged 
editorially : "It is not enough that we are to be sold out to 
the Secessionists — the Administration would bind us hand 
and foot, deprive us of arms, and deliver us tied neck and 
heels to the traitors who would dissever the Union. It has 
already ordered one hundred and twenty-four heavy guns 
from the Allegheny arsenal to the south, not to defend the 
Stars and Stripes, for which our skilfull mechanics made 
them, but to batter down the battle flag of some Lone Star 
or Rattlesnake government. The order came a few days 
ago to ship on Wednesday, December twenty-sixth, the 
following guns : To Ship Island near the Balize, mouth of 
the Mississippi, 21 ten-inch Columbiads, 128 pounders; 21 
eight-inch Columbiads, 64 pounders; 4 iron guns, 32 
pounders; to Newport, near Galveston Island, Texas, 23 
ten-inch Columbiads, 28 pounders ; 7 iron guns, 32 pounders ; 
in all 124 guns, 1 broadside, which would throw five tons of 
balls. To take these would strip us entirely of cannon and 
leave us disarmed (so far as cannon are concerned) at the 
mercy of traitors. For months muskets have been sent to 
southern points where rebels have seized them by the thou- 
sands. Shall Pennsylvania be disarmed and Charleston 
be allowed with impunity to seize the federal arms with 
which to overthrow the Union? Shall our people submit 
to this? " The newspapers of Pittsburgh, closely read, 
indicate from the early thirties this same tendency to strong 
feeling, so that when the incident of December, 1860, really 
occurred, it was no surprise to the readers of the records of 
Pittsburgh. But when, on the eleventh of April, 1861, the 
secession movement in the south — already endorsed by 
legislative action in several States — culminated in a de- 

[ 422 ] 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

mand by Gen. Beauregard, the commander of the rebel 
troops, for the surrender of Fort Sumter, in the harbor of 
Charleston, Pittsburgh, with the rest of the north, was 
totally unprepared and entirely amazed. 

* The refusal of Maj, Anderson to surrender was fol- 
lowed, on the twelfth inst., by an assault on the fort, which, 
after a two days ' bombardment, capitulated, and the United 
States garrison, comprising less than ninety men, left the 
fort on the fourteenth inst., with the honors of war, saluting 
their flag. No loss of life had occurred during the bom- 
bardment, but by the bursting of a gun in firing the salute 
two men were killed and four wounded. 

The intense excitement existing throughout the north 
culminated in the announcement of the attack on Fort 
Sumter. Upon the fifteenth of April the President issued 
a proclamation calling upon the States to furnish 75,000 
militia, to suppress the rebellion, and summoning an extra 
session of Congress on the fourth of July following. The 
quota of Pennsylvania, under this call for troops, was fixed 
at sixteen regiments, and the command of the Western Divi- 
sion of the State assigned to Brig.-Gen. Negley, for the 
purpose of organizing the troops. 

The call for volunteers found Allegheny county, like all 
other parts of the State, almost unprovided with military 
organizations. There were in the two cities ten volunteer 
companies — the Jackson Independent Blues, Duquesne 
Greys, Washington Infantry, Allegheny Rifles, Pennsyl- 
vania Dragoons, Pittsburgh Turner Rifles, Lafayette Blues, 
Pennsylvania Zouaves, National Guards, and United States 
Zouave Cadets — several of which had been organized dur- 
ing the military furore following the visit of the Chicago 
Zouaves in 1860. In the county were also a few volunteer 
organizations — the Pennsylvania Infantry, at East Lib- 
erty; AUiquippa Guards, M'Keesport; Turtle Creek 
Guards, Turtle Creek; two companies in Birmingham, St. 
Clair Guards, Union Artillery, National Lancers, and one 
or two others. 

The greatest enthusiasm followed the announcement of 
the call for volunteers. Scores of companies were set on 

* Anonymous pamphlet. 

[ 423 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

foot and tendered their services to the Governor. On the 
fifteenth inst. recruiting began throughout the county, and 
on the seventeenth the first detachment of Turner Rifles, 
eighty men, under Capt. Amlung, left for Harrisburg. The 
remainder of the company, which was organized from the 
German Turner Association, left on the following day. On 
the same day the Hannibal Guards, a company of colored 
men, also tendered their services. On the eighteenth 
Trovillo 's Invincibles, Robison 's Light Guards, M 'Dowell 's 
State Guards, and Gerard's Pennsylvania Zouaves left for 
Harrisburg, followed, on the twentieth, by a '' second de- 
tachment," and Rippey's Scott Legion, Gallagher's Shields 
Guards, and Alliquippa Guards of M'Keesport. On the 
twenty-second the first regiment was organized in Alle- 
gheny county by Gen. Negley : 

Twelfth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

Colonel — David Campbell, of Pittsburgh. 

Lieut.-Colonel — Norton M 'GiflSn, of Washington. 

Major — Alexander Hays, of Pittsburgh. 

Adjutant — G. L. Bonnaf on. 

Quartermaster — James A. Ekin. 

Quartermaster Sergeant — Samuel Walker. 

Surgeons — Drs. A. M. Speer, R. M. Tindle. 

Chaplain — Rev. J. J. Marks. 

Co. A — Jackson Independent Blues, Capt. Samuel 
M'Kee. 

Co. B — Duquesne Greys, Capt. John S. Kennedy. 

Co. C — Firemen 's Legion, Capt. John H. Stewart. 

Co. D — Union Guards, Capt. William Tomlinson. 

Co. E — Washington Invincibles,* Capt. James Arm- 
strong. 

Co. F — Lawrence Guards,f Capt. Edward O'Brien. 

Co. C — Monongahela Artillery,* Capt. Robert F. 
Cooper. 

Co. H — Lawrence Guards,* Capt. Daniel Leasure. 

Co. I — Zouave Cadets, Capt. George W. Tanner. 

Co. K — City Guards, Capt. William H. Denny. 

* Washington county. f Lawrence county. 

[ 424 ] 



EECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

At the same time a battalion was organized of the com- 
panies in excess, some seven or eight, of which Capt. T. A. 
Rowley, of the Washington Infantry, was elected Major. 
A regiment was subsequently organized at Harrisburg, the 
tenth company being formed of the men in excess in the 
other companies, and Joseph Browne elected Captain, 
This was afterwards known as the 



Thirteenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

Colonel — T. A. Rowley, of Pittsburgh. 

Lieut.-Colonel — John N. Purviance, of Butler, 

Major — W. S. Mellinger, of Washington. 

Adjutant — J. M. Kinkead. 

Quartermaster — M. K. Moorhead. 

Quartermaster-Sergeant — L. Sahl, Jr. 

Sergeant-Major — Alex. P. Callow. 

Surgeons — Drs. James Robinson, Geo. S. Foster. 

Chaplain — Rev. A. M. Stewart. 

Co. A - — Washington Infantry, Capt. David B. Morris. 

Co. B — Union Cadets, Capt. John W. Patterson. 

Co. C — Negley Cadets, Capt. Joseph Browne. 

Co. D — Washington Infantry, Capt. William Mays. 

Co. E — Fort Pitt Guards, Capt. William A. Charlton.* 

Co. F — Rowley Rifles, Capt. John D. M'Farland. 

Co. G — Taylor Guards,t Capt. John H. Filler. 

Co. H — Butler Blues,:}: Capt. Alex. Gillespie. 

Co. J — Shields Guards, Capt. William C. Gallagher. 

Co. K — Duquesne Greys, Capt. John Poland. 



A number of the companies which had already been sent 
eastward were collected at Camp Slifer, Chambersburg, 
Franklin county, and others forwaided directly to Wash- 
ington City. Those who reached Washington were organ- 
ized into the 



* Resigned at York, succeeded by 1st Lieut. Hamlet Lowe, f Bedford county. 
X Butler county. 

[ 425 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers.* 

Colonel — R. P. M'Dowell, Allegheny City. 

Lieut.-Colonel — B. Christ. 

Major — R. B. Petriken. 

Adjutant — R. C. Parker. 

Co. A — State Guards, Capt. G. W. Dawson. 

Co. B — Turner Rifles, Capt. H. Amlung. 

Co. K — United States Zouaves, Capt. George Segrist. 

In Camp Slifer, from the troops sent forward from 
Allegheny and Berks counties, was organized the 

Seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

Colonel — William H. Irwin. 
Lieut.-Colonel — 0. H. Rippey, of Allegheny. 
Major — Frank Robinson, of Allegheny. 
Co. A — Scott Legion, Capt. Maurice Wallace. 
Co. B — Allegheny Rifles, Capt. Casper Gang. 
Co. E — Allegheny Light Guards, Capt. H. K. Tyler. 
Co. F — Pennsylvania Zouaves, Capt. Joseph Gerard. 
Co. K — Pittsburgh Invincibles, Capt. William H. Tro- 
villo. 

The Negley Zouaves, Capt. 0. M. Irvine, were assigned to 
the Third Regiment, of which Capt. Irvine was chosen 
Major ; First Lieut. Lawson succeeding to the Captaincy. 

The Alliquippa Guards, Capt. Snider, were attached to 
the Fourteenth Regiment, Col. John W. Johnston. 

While these companies were recruiting, the community 
was in a constant whirl of excitement. Public buildings, 
stores, and even private houses were profusely decorated 
with flags of all sizes and qualities. Private subscriptions 
for the benefit of individuals and companies were raised 
liberally — amounting in the aggregate to thousands of 
dollars. Revolvers, swords, bowie knives, sashes, and 
other weapons and military decorations were presented by 

* Seven companies were from Eastern counties. 

[ 426 ] 



EECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

hundreds, individuals, companies, and corporations vieing 
with each other in liberality. By the efforts of a few 
individuals, in some instances, whole companies were uni- 
formed; but we regret to say the materials and make, in 
some cases, soon proved to be of the shabbiest character. 
Thus several companies of the three months volunteers 
were twice supplied with clothing within a few weeks ; once 
before leaving home, and again by the State, with 
" shoddy " suits, and both of such miserable materials as 
to fall to pieces before the campaign had fairly commenced, 
causing much needless suffering among the raw recruits. 

During this period of excitement the ladies took their full 
share of labor, sewing gratuitously for the soldiers, making 
lint and hospital supplies, and providing such delicacies as 
their means permitted. Hundreds of havelocks were made, 
but the discovery that the white colored stuff of which they 
were made had an injurious effect on the eyes of the rear 
rank of men put a sudden stop to the manufacture. Private 
subscriptions were raised to provide means both for the 
outfitting of the volunteers and for the defense of the city. 
Messrs. Knapp, Rudd & Co., of the Fort Pitt works, gener- 
ously tendering the heavy ordnance for the purpose. 

Depaktuee of Allegheny County Troops. 

On the twenty-four of April — eleven days after the 
President called for 75,000 men — the last detachment 
(excepting two companies) of the Twelfth and Thirteenth 
Regiments left for Harrisburg. At an early hour in the 
day the troops mustered and repaired to the East Common, 
Allegheny, where a grand review had been announced to 
come off. A slight rain had been falling, which increased 
to a heavy shower as the review was about commencing, 
and continued without intermission, interfering greatly 
with the Commanding General's arrangement for a grand 
demonstration. The review did not come off, the soldiers 
instead plodding their way, through the muddy streets and 
torrents of rain, to the railroad depot, which they reached 
in dilapidated plight, the column marching through West- 
ern avenue, Ohio and Federal streets to the river, across 

[ 427 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

the Suspension bridge, up St. Clair and Fifth streets to 
Smithfield, thence to Sixth and down to Liberty, where 
three trains, consisting of thirty-three cars, were in waiting 
to transport them to the State Capital. On the route a 
beautiful silk flag was presented to the Twelfth Regiment 
by the ladies of Allegheny, and received by Capt. R. Biddle 
Roberts, of the U. S. Zouaves Cadets. This demonstration 
took place at the house of Wm. Bagaley, Esq., on Western 
avenue. 

Before the troops reached the trains, the arrangements 
for supplying a comfortable lunch were perfected. A day's 
rations of bread and meat had been placed on each man's 
seat, and his tin cup filled with excellent coffee, most gladly 
welcomed by the soldiers after their trudge through mud 
and rain. In Kier's warehouse, near the depot, a table was 
bountifully supplied, and but a few failed " to pay their 
respects " to it. Credit for this timely supply of comfort 
for the inner man, was due mainly to the citizens, who sub- 
sequently organized the Subsistence Committee. 

About twelve o'clock, m., the first (and largest) train 
moved off amid the most enthusiastic demonstrations, wav- 
ing of handkerchiefs from the windows and housetops, and 
deafening cheers from the spectators, all cheerfully re- 
sponded to by the men in the cars. At least ten thousand 
people had collected to wave farewell to the ' ' gallant three 
monthsers." The smaller trains followed the first at brief 
intervals, and the crowd was not cleared off until long after 
the last car was out of sight. 

The first train arrived at Huntington at half-past six 
p. M., and simultaneous with its arrival the soldiers were 
besieged by citizens bearing baskets of boiled eggs, sand- 
wiches, crackers, cheese, hot coffee, etc. The second and 
third trains stopped at Altoona, and the men there fed at 
the expense of the government. 

The trains arrived at Harrisburg between one and two 
o'clock on the morning of the twenty-fifth, and the men were 
quartered in churches and in the capitol. On the afternoon 
of the same day the regiments were mustered into the 
service of the United States, on the square, fronting the 
State Capitol, on each side of which the Twelfth and Thir- 

[ 428 ] 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

teenth Regiments were formed in line. After the cere- 
mony, Gov. Curtin passed in review. 

Col. Campbell's Regiment, the Twelfth, left the same 
evening for ' ' Camp Scott, ' ' at York, and Col. Rowle} 's left 
on the following day for the same destination. 

At Camp Scott, 

Of which Brig.-Gen. Wynkoop was in command, were the 
First, Second, Third, Twelfth, Thirteenth and Sixteenth 
Regiments, numbering in all about 5,000 men. (Beside the 
Allegheny county companies in the Twelfth and Thirteenth, 
another company, the Negley Zouaves, were in the Third.) 
The men suffered much for the want of sufficient clothing, 
which was not furnished for some time after their arrival 
at York. 

On the twenty-ninth of April, Gen, Negley issued his first 
General Order, assuming command of the Twelfth and 
Thirteenth Regiments, Capt. Leasure, of Lawrence county, 
acting as Adjutant-General. 

Maj.-Gen. Keim, with his aid, Col. Schaffer, of Lancaster, 
arrived at York on May sixth, and assumed control of 
affairs. Two days after, Capt. Ekin, quartermaster of the 
Twelfth, left Philadelphia, with requisitions for clothing 
and accoutrements for all the troops in Camp Scott. He 
returned on the twelfth, having been successful in his mis- 
sion. 

At this time, the bridges on the Northern Central Rail- 
road (destroyed by the Rebels), had been rebuilt, and trains 
began running regularly from Harrisburg to Baltimore, a 
special train going through on the ninth. 

Gen. Negley, by direction of Maj.-Gen. Keim, had added 
to his brigade (the Fourth), the Fourteenth and Fifteenth 
Regiments, in camp at Lancaster. The Alliquippa Guards, 
Capt. Snyder, of McKeesport, were Company K, in the 
Fourteenth. 

The subject of re-enlisting for three years of the war was 
now agitated, and excited considerable discussion. The 
question was not put to the men, and the reports that they 
refused to re-enlist are false. Being half a month in the 

[ 429 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

service without equipments, when other regiments subse- 
quently organized were already in the field, abundantly sup- 
plied with everything, the men of the Twelfth and Thir- 
teenth were in no amiable mood. On the third of May, Gov. 
Curtin was advised that there were three very fine regi- 
ments in Philadelphia ready to go into service, and was 
urged to accept them. They were accepted and at once 
equipped and sent off. When Capt. Ekin visited Philadel- 
phia, he was informed that the Twelfth and Thirteenth 
Regiments were in excess, and that unless they enlisted for 
three years they would be sent home. The acceptance of 
the Philadelphia regiments had more than filled the State's 
quota of three months' men, and hence the Twelfth and 
Thirteenth, although fully organized in less than two weeks 
after the call for troops, were to be crowded out. But, 
through the active exertions of one of our Representatives 
in Congress, Hon. J. K. Moorhead, the Secretary of War 
set all things straight. Who was to blame for this trouble, 
we cannot say, but it seems, through somebody's inad- 
vertence or neglect, that the War Department had not been 
advised of the organization of the Allegheny county regi- 
ments. 

On the tenth of May (Sunday), Gov. Curtin, with his 
Aide, Col. R. Biddle Roberts, reviewed the troops at York. 
Brig.-Gens. Negley and Wynkoop appeared with their 
brigades. 

The first instalment of overcoats and accoutrements 
reached York on the nineteenth, another on the following 
day, and from day to day until all the troops in Camp 
Scott were fully clothed, equipped and furnished with camp 
equipage. The inferiority and absolute rottenness of the 
clothing excited much comment and not a little indignation. 

About this time Gen. Negley left for Lancaster, to see 
after the interests of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Regi- 
ments. His separation from the Twelfth and Thirteenth 
Regiments, it was at first supposed, would be but temporary, 
but turned out that they were taken out of his command 
entirely, as he exercised no control over them from the time 
of his leaving York, and during the remainder of the cam- 
paign he had but one company from Allegheny county under 

[ 430 ] 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

his command — the Alliquippa Guards. This was much 
against his wishes, as well as against the desire, we believe, 
of a majority of the Allegheny volunteers. 

On the twenty-fifth — having remained at Camp Scott 
exactly one month — the Twelfth Regiment received march- 
ing orders and was stationed along the Northern Central 
Railroad, guarding it from the destructive intentions of the 
Rebels. The regiment remained there until the expiration 
of their term of service. 

On the third of June, the Thirteenth received marchingi 
orders, and on the following day left Camp Scott for Cham- 
bersburg, at which place it arrived on the morning of the 
seventh, and went into '' Cantonment Rowley," west of the 
town, in the Fair Grounds, where it remained a few days, 
removing thence, on the twelfth, four miles south, to 
*' Camp Brady." Here the regiment was placed in the 
brigade of Col. Dixon S. Miles, U. S. A., composed of the 
Ninth and Sixteenth P. V., and detachments of the Second 
and Third Infantry (Regulars). The fifteenth found the 
regiment at '' Camp Riley," in Maryland, a mile and a half 
from the Potomac, and on the following day it was at 
*' Camp Hitchcock," in Berkeley county, Va., two miles 
south of the Potomac, which river it crossed, with Gen. Pat- 
terson's army, at Williamsport. 

Before daylight on the seventeenth, the regiment, with 
the brigade to which it was attached, retreated across the 
Potomac to Williamsport, and took up quarters at " Camp 
Miles," adjoining the town. Here Col. Miles and his regu- 
lars were detached and left for Washington City. The 
regiment remained at this point, spending the time most 
agreeably, until the fourth of July. 

At the Ledger office, in Williamsport, some of the Thir- 
teenth boys printed a newspaper, entitled, The Pennsyl- 
vania Thirteenth, dated " Camp Miles, July fourth, 1861." 

M. Swartzwelder, Esq., having paid the camp a visit, 
witnessed the spectacle of a company parading in drawers, 
a supply of which they had just received. He was con- 
vinced, after examining a few of the pantaloons worn by the 
soldiers, that it was not the warmth of the weather that 
induced them (the men) to come out in clean drawers in the 

[ 431 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBURGH 

presence of spectators, rather than in pants which would 
not cover their nakedness. 

As an evidence of the feeling concerning the '' shoddy " 
clothing, the ' ' local ' ' of the ' ' Thirteen ' ' thus dilated : 

'' We advertise for sale a choice lot of rags (material 
unknown), formerly put together as soldiers' clothing. If 
Mr. Neil, of Philadelphia, wishes to assist in a speculation, 
he will find his services appreciated by applying to the 
Thirteenth Regiment. ' ' 

On the day of the publication of the paper, and while 
Sergt.-Maj. Callow was working the press, without positive 
orders, the Thirteenth crossed the Potomac the third time. 
Being short of rations, and directed not to move until his 
commissary department had been replenished, Col. Rowley 
formed the regiment in line on the bank of the river, and 
put the question to the men whether they would be content 
to live for five days on three days' rations. An affirmative 
reply was given, and five minutes later the regiment filed 
into the Potomac, while Doubleday's guns were belching 
forth salutes in honor of the day. Arrived in Martinsburg, 
on the same day (the second after the fight at Falling 
Waters), and remained there until the fifteenth, when Pat- 
terson's army moved to Bunker Hill, twelve miles distant 
from Winchester. Here it rested in quietude, barring the 
nightly alarms (caused by timorous picket guards), until 
the eighteenth, when the army moved not to Winchester, 
as was generally expected, but to Charleston, in the direc- 
tion of Harper's Ferry. Remaining at Charleston for a 
few days, the line of march was taken up for the Ferry, 
where the Potomac was crossed a fourth time. Encamping 
for a night opposite Maryland Heights, the regiment headed 
for Hagerstown, marching some twenty-two miles in nine 
hours. The men knew they were going home, their term of 
service having expired. At Hagerstown they took the cars 
for Chambersburg, thence to Harrisburg, arriving in Pitts- 
burgh on the twenty-ninth of July. They were regularly 
mustered out and paid off a few days afterward. So ends 
a brief history of the bloodless campaign of the three 
months' men. 

The Thirteenth Regiment, together with the companies 

[ 432 ] 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

in the Third, Seventh and Fourteenth, saw quite as much 
service as any of the three months' troops, attached to Gen. 
Patterson's division, while the Twelfth Regiment did most 
efficient service in performing the duty to which it was as- 
signed. 

The companies in the Fifth remained about Washington 
City, and were among the very first troops which arrived 
to defend the National Capital. 

The Seventh Regiment went from Harrisburg to Camp 
Slifer, near Chambersburg, and was assigned to the brigade 
of Gen. Williams. It crossed the Potomac with Patterson's 
army, and continued with it the marches from Williamsport 
to Harper's Ferry, whence the three months' men were all 
sent home. 

While at Charleston, the battle of Bull Run took place, 
and on the day previous the Thirteenth was ordered to pro- 
ceed some twenty miles in the direction of Winchester to 
burn some bridges and tear up railroad tracks, and had 
started on their mission. The order, however, was counter- 
manded, while Capt. M. K. Moorhead, the Quartermaster, 
was endeavoring to procure the necessary tools. 

The Alliquippa Guards, of McKeesport, Capt. Christian 
Snyder and Lieuts. F. Shaum and George Haast — attached 
to the Fourteenth Regiment, Col. J. W. Johnston, of West- 
moreland — remained at Lancaster for a considerable time, 
going thence to Chambersburg and participating in the cam- 
paign through the Cumberland Valley and Virginia. On 
the fourteenth of July, at Camp Negley, near Hagerstown, 
Md., the officers of the Guards resigned, because, as they 
stated, no provisions were furnished their men. The resig- 
nations were accepted by Gen. Negley, who appointed other 
officers, viz. : Capt. Jas. A. Lowrie, and First Lieut. Alex- 
ander Forsyth, both of whom were on the General's staff, 
and the latter afterwards assigned as Quartermaster of the 
Fourteenth Regiment, with James H. Snodgrass, as as^ 
sistant. 

The Negley Zouaves, of East Liberty, Capt. Lawson, also 
actively participated in the three months' campaign, doing 
guard duty on the railroad at Hagerstown for a short time. 

28 [ 433 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBURGH 

The Committee of Public Safety. 

Pending the organization of the volunteer militia of the 
count}'^, active exertions werei making in the community in 
the furtherance of the country's cause. One of the most im- 
portant bodies ever organized in the country was set on 
foot, and for months afterwards exercised a controlling 
influence in all military affairs in the county. The duties 
of the Committee of Public Safety were multifarious and 
laborious, yet they were attended to with a vigilance and 
promptitude that will forever reflect credit on the members. 
On the fifteenth of April an immense mass meeting was held 
in City Hall. Never before had so many persons gathered 
within its walls — never had the same unanimity of senti- 
ment been displayed. This meeting adopted a series of 
resolutions pertinent to the crisis, the fourth of which au- 
thorized the appointment of a Committee of One Hundred, 
to act in all matters pertaining to the " patriot cause." 
This committee, which was announced by the venerable 
chairman of the meeting, Judge Wilkins, on the seventeenth, 
was composed of prominent citizens of all parties, and tem- 
porarily organized by electing Thomas Bakewell, Esq., pres- 
ident; John Birmingham, W. Bagaley, Hon. Thomas M. 
Howe, Wm. F. Johnston, C. Zug and G. W. Cass, vice-presi- 
dents; and T. Steel, C. McKnight, T. J. Bigham and T. B. 
Hamilton, secretaries. 

A committee appointed on permanent organization, at a 
meeting on the eighteenth, reported the following perma- 
nent officers: Hon. William Wilkins, president; Hon. 
Thomas M. Howe, Hon. William F. Johnston, William 
Bagaley, James P. Barr, John Birmingham and George W. 
Cass, vice-presidents; Messrs. William M. Hersh, John W. 
Riddell, George H. Thurston, Wm. Woods, Jos. R. Hunter 
and Thos. D. Hamilton, secretaries, and Jas. M'Auley, 
treasurer. The committee also reported the propriety of 
creating three sub-committees, viz.: Finance, Home De- 
fense, and Executive Committees, the organization of which, 
for obvious reasons, was not made public. The committees 
at once entered upon their duties in collecting funds and 
organizing the residents of the county into companies and 

[ 434 ] 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

regimen cs of Home Guards. The duties of the Executive 
Committee were of an extremely delicate character. At the 
outbreaking of the Rebellion, there were in every community 
in the North numbers of residents, who sympathized, more 
or less openly, with the Rebels, and continued to supply 
them, for some time, with articles contraband of war. These 
articles were forwarded by railroad and express to points 
in the West, from which they could readily be distributed to 
the South. It became the duty of the committee to inter- 
cept these contraband shipments, and to put a stop, as 
quietly as possible, to the public expression of disloyal sen- 
timents. For some weeks their labors were arduous, but 
finally resulted in a complete suppression of the illegal 
traffic. Hon. Wm. F. Johnston, Hon. Thos. Howe, Hon. 
Wm. Wilkins, Hon. John E. Parke, George W. Cass, George 
P. Hamilton, Thomas S. Blair, James H. Sewell, James 
Park, Jr., James M'Auley, James B. Murray, William M. 
Lyon, Thomas Steel, William R. Brown, James Hardman, 
J. R. M'Cune, C. W. Batchelor, Wm. M. Shinn, William 
Phillips, Thomas Bakewell, James A. Hutchinson, H. M'Cul- 
lough, Reuben Miller, Jr., Edward Gregg, Samuel Dilworth, 
William J. Morrison, Isaac Jones, M, Swartzwelder, Wil- 
liam Coleman, Dr. George M'Cook, Sr., P. C. Shannon, and 
Edward H. Stowe, formed this committee, of which Wil- 
liam F. Johnston was elected chairman, and Thomas M. 
Howe, vice-president, Geo. H. Thurston, secretary of the 
Committee of Public Safety, and J. A. Hutchinson, were 
appointed secretaries. Mr. Thurston, from his wide ac- 
quaintance in the community and his experience in business 
of a kindred nature, was enabled to be of great service to 
the committee in the transaction of its business. 

At a mass meeting of citizens held some time after the 
formation of the committee, another committee was ap- 
pointed to confer with the Executive Committee, being sub- 
sequently consolidated with it. It was composed of Messrs. 
B. C. Sawyer, A. C. Alexander, James M. Cooper, Wm. 
Robinson, Jr., Wm. K. Nimick, John Harper, Robert Ash- 
worth, Francis Sellers, F. R. Brunot, B. F. Jones, T. J. 
Bigham, John Myler, Wm. Semple, Jas. P. Tanner, Saml. 
Wickersham and James French. The original committee 

[ 435 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

was in constant session for several weeks, day and night. 
The joint committee was chiefly engaged with business rela- 
tive to the defense of the city. The last meeting of the 
committee was held on September sixteenth, 1861, there 
being no emergency from that date until September, 1862, 
which required their attention. 

The Executive Committee, or rather the Committee on 
Munitions of War, Messrs. Jos. Dilworth, Geo. M'Cook, 
E. D. Gazzam, Jonas R. McClintock, and Robert Finney, 
on the twenty-fifth of April published a notice to shippers 
to report all goods supposed to be contraband to the com- 
mittee sitting in permanent session. The Committee on 
the Transit of Contraband Goods — Messrs. George Mc- 
Cook, M. D., Henry Hays, E. D. Gazzam, Jonas R. McClin- 
tock, and W. E. Fundenburg — on the twenty-eighth passed 
the following resolutions: 

^'Resolved, That all goods arriving at Pittsburg, and 
destined for Southern States, be stopped for the present, 
stored and insured. 

^'Resolved, That no packages whatever shall be allowed 
to go forward to Southern States till they have been opened 
and examined by the Committee. 

'^Resolved, That one or more packers be employed to 
attend to the opening of boxes and other packages and 
repacking the same." 

The committee still exercised a supervision over ship- 
ments during the summer. On the twenty-eighth of 
August, while the Collector of Customs was examining an 
express car load of goods and munitions of war, a box of 
"■ friction tubes," used in firing army ordnance, exploded. 
Mr. James Batchelor, a brother of Capt. Chas. W. Batch- 
elor, Collector of Customs, who was standing beside the car, 
had his leg broken by a splinter. Wm. McLaughlin, ex- 
pressman; John Maher, stableman, and Michael Regan, 
laborer, were at work in the car. McLaughlin was fright- 
fully lacerated about the face and stomach, and one of his 
eyes badly injured. Maher was also terribly injured, his 
right side being lacerated, his left knee laid open to the 
bone, and his right arm and hand torn and mangled. All 
fortunately recovered. The cause of the explosion could 

[ 436 ] 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

never be clearly ascertained, as the tubes were packed with 
extreme care. 

The Home Guaeds. 

Under the auspices of the Committee on Home Defense, 
preliminary meetings were held in nearly all the wards of 
the two cities, on the twentieth of April, for the purpose of 
organizing a militia for home defense, and during the fort- 
night following organizations were perfected in almost 
every precinct in the county. Some of the companies 
adopted a cheap uniform, others merely assumed a military 
cap, while a large number sought no uniformity of dress 
or equipment. About the first of May the committee were 
authorized by the State authorities to draw from the 
Arsenal muskets and rifles for the Home Guards. The 
arms were accordingly furnished by Major Symington, and, 
together with a large number purchased by the committee, 
stored in City Hall, which was placed under a strong guard 
for several weeks. Prior to the departure of the last 
detachments of volunteers 1,139 muskets and rifles were 
also distributed among them by the committee. As the 
companies of Home Guards were organized they were re- 
ported to the committee, inspected and sworn, and on the 
third of May the distribution of arms commenced, com- 
panies of riflemen receiving fifty rifles, and infantry com- 
panies seventy muskets. The muskets were generally old 
'' Harper's Ferry " flint locks, but answered admirably all 
the purposes of drill. The rifles were of the old pattern, 
without bayonets, but in other respects first-rate arms. 
Forty-five companies were inspected on the first day, of 
which twenty were supplied with arms. In the course of 
the ensuing fortnight all the companies organized were 
armed and under competent oflficers, and being actively 
drilled. On Friday, May eleventh, the last company — the 
Allegheny Grenadiers, Capt. Wray — were supplied with 
arms. The committee then reported a distribution of 2,088 
muskets and 882 rifles. Five thousand five hundred men 
were organized into Home Guard companies. Before dis- 
tributing the arms the committee required bonds from the 
oflficers of the several companies. The organization, as 

[ 437 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

might have been expected, was made the target of not a 
little idle and malicious wit, and finally succumbed to 
ridicule and loss of novelty. Nevertheless, it had served a 
good purpose in thoroughly arousing the military spirit of 
the people, and its beneficial effects became apparent in 
recruiting under the subsequent call for five hundred thou- 
sand men. The immense body, thus enrolled and partially 
drilled, made but one exhibition of its strength — in 
the grand parade of July fourth. It had in the meantime 
been organized into regiments and brigades, of which we 
have the following record : 

Allegheny County. 
Home Guard Organization. 

Major-General — William Wilkins. 

Aids — John M 'D. Crossan, John M. Tiernan, Mansfield 
Brown. 

Inspector-General — Thos. M. Howe. 
Adjutant-General — Jonas R. M'Clintock. 
Quartermaster-General — C. W. Batchelor. 
Commissary-General — William Bagaley. 

First Brigade. 

Brigadier-General — William F. Johnston. 
Adjutant-General — Benair C. Sawyer, Jr. 
Aid-de-Camp — Felix R. Brunot. 

First Regiment Rifles. 

Colonel — Samuel M. Wickersham. 

Lieut.-Colonel — T. B. Hambright. 

Major — Jacob Britton. 

Adjutant — J. H. Barber. 

Union Cavalry — Capt. Robt. Patterson. 

Scott Rifles — Capt. Britton. 

Second Ward Rifles — Capt. Mattern. 

First Ward Rifles — Capt. Fitzsimmons. 

Union Rifles, S. P. — Capt. . 



[ 438 ] 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

Duquesne Central Guards — Capt. J. M. Roberts. 
Park Rifles — Capt. C. W. Moore. 
Eighth Ward Rifles — Capt. E. S. Wright. 
Columbia Rifles — Capt. T. F. Lehman. 

Fourth Regiment. 

Colonel — Joseph E. M'Cabe. 
Lieut.-Colonel . 



Major — Andrew Burtt. 

East Birmingham Guards — Capt. Cunningham. 

Rich Valley H. Guards — Capt. Glenn. 

Union Guards, Union Tp. — Capt. Frew. 

South Pittsburgh Infantry — Capt. Knap. 

Dilworth Guards, Mt. Washington — Capt. Harper, 

Ellsworth Guards — Capt. Duff. 

Lower St. Clair Guards — Capt. Musser. 

West Pittsburgh Guards — Capt. Whipple. 

West Liberty Guards — Capt. Espy. 

East Birmingham Rifles — Capt. Dressel. 

Second Regiment Infantry. 

Colonel — F. C. Negley. 

Lieut.-Colonel — Wm. Kopp. 

Major — J. R. Hunter. 

Arsenal Rifles — Capt. Langdon. 

Fifth Ward H. Guards, A — Lieut.-Com. Wilson. 

Fifth Ward H. Guards, B — Capt. Gangwisch. 

Fifth Ward H. Guards, C — Capt. Felix. 

Jefferson Guards — Capt. Hamm. 

Second Beigade. 

Brigadier-General — George W. Cass. 
Assistant Adjutant-General — Robert Finney. 

First Regiment. 

Colonel — William Phillips. 
Lieut.-Colonel — R. W. Jones. 
Major — J. B. Sweitzer. 

[ 439 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Marion Guards — Capt. Sweitzer. 
Howe Infantry — Capt. Bailey. 
U. S. Zouave Cadets — Capt. De Barenne. 
Koerner Guards — Capt. Holmes. 
Bagaley Guards — Capt. De Zouche. 
Kensington Guards — Capt. M'Candless. 
Second Ward H. Guards — Capt. Appleton. 
Ricketson Guards — Capt. Bell. 

Second Regiment Rifles- 

Colonel — James B. Moore. 

Lieut.-Colonel — T. B. Hamilton. 

Major — F. Hambright. 

Adjutant — B. F. Pettitt. 

Keystone Rifles — Capt. Nimick. 

Seventh Ward H. Guards — Capt. Ward. 

Sharpsburg Rifles — Capt. F. H. Collier. 

First Ward (A) Rifles — Capt. Hambrigbt. 

Shannon Rifles — Capt. Little. 

Arsenal Rifles — Lieut.-Com. Pierson. 

Allegheny Grenadiers — Capt. M. M 'Gonnigle. 

Steuben Guards — Capt. Lenhaeuser. 

Harper Zouaves — Capt. Fullwood. 

Fort Pitt Artillery (five guns)— Capt. Metcalf. 

Third Regiment. 

Colonel — J. M. C. Beringer. 
Lieut.-Colonel — James J. Larimer. 
Major — John G. Martin. 
East Liberty H. Guards — Capt. Gross. 
Glenwood H. Guards — Capt. Cosgrave. 
Swissvale H. Guards — Capt. Finney. 
Wilkinsburg H. Guards — Capt. Semple. 
Braddock's Field Guard — Capt. Smith. 
Oakhill Guards — Capt. Baldwin. 
Oakland Guards — Capt. Brown. 
Versailles Tp. Guards — Capt. Shaw. 
Penn Tp. H. Guards — Capt. Beringer. 

[ 440 ] 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

Third Brigade. 

Brigadier-General — John Birmingham. 

Aids — C. Zug, James P. Barr. 

Assistant Adjutant-General — J. B. Guthrie. 

Fifth Regiment. 

Colonel — Charles G. Smith. 

Lieut.-Colonel — James M. Cooper. 

Major — J. W. F. White. 

Leet Guards — Capt. Nevin. 

Allegheny Greys — Capt. Boisel. 

Anderson Infantry — Capt. Duval. 

Twin City Rangers — Capt. George Thompson. 

Cass Defenders — Capt. Bradley. 

Washington Guards — Capt. Steinbrenner. 

Ellsworth Infantry — Capt. Miller. 

Sewickley Guards — Capt. AVhite. 

M'Clure Guards — Capt. Smith. 

Sixth Regiment. 

Colonel — Matthew I. Stewart. 

Lieut.-Colonel — A. G. M'Quade. 

Major — S. K. Rogers. 

Madison Guards — Capt. Stewart. 

Duquesne Guards — Capt. Jenkins. 

Duquesne Cadets — Capt. Williams. 

Shaler Home Guards — Capt. Lloyd. 

Keystone Home Guards, Indiana Tp. — Capt. Robinson. 

Duquesne Home Guards — Capt. Suttler. 

Third Ward (Ally.) Home Guards — Capt. Mohl. 

Allegheny Zouave Cadets — Capt. William Griswell. 

The Reserve Corps. 

In the excitement which followed the call for 75,000 
militia, a sufficient number of organizations were set on 
foot to have furnished that number from Pennsylvania 
alone. Notwithstanding the fact that the State quota was 

[ 441 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBURGH 

filled in less than a week, these organizations — to the num- 
ber of over forty in Allegheny county alone — still held 
together, though in many instances at great inconvenience 
to the men and cost to the ofi&cers. Strenuous efforts were 
made to induce the State authorities to accept these com- 
panies, and on the twenty-seventh of April the Governor 
decided to form a camp at Pittsburgh. The temporary 
control of the camp was placed in the hands of one of the 
sub-committees of the Committee of Public Safety. The 
Fair Grounds were selected as a suitable site, and Camp 
Wilkins organized with Col. P. Jarrett, of Lock Haven, 
Clinton county. Pa., as Commandant, Henry A. Weaver, 
Commissary, and Sam'l P. M'Kelvy, Quartermaster. 
Twenty-six companies were immediately reported as ready 
to go into camp, of which we have the following list : 

Government Guards,* Capt. Robt. Anderson; Fayette 
Guards,* Uniontown, Capt. S. D. Oliphant; Chartiers Val- 
ley Guards,* Capt. Charles Barnes; Pittsburgh Rifles,* 
Capt. L. W. Smith; Pennsylvania Rover Guards, Capt. 
Barr; Duncan Guards,* Capt. John Duncan; City Guards, 
B,* Capt. C. F. Jackson; Lafayette Blues, Capt. Wilkinson; 
Highland Guards, Capt. Robert Chester ; Anderson Guards, 
Capt. W. A. Anderson; Plumer Guards,f Capt. A. Hay; 
Denny Guards, Capt. H. Mackrell; Minute Riflemen,f Pine 
Township, Capt. Thos. Gibson; Allegheny Rangers,* Capt. 
H. S. Fleming ; Independent Rangers, Capt. J. T. McCombs ; 
Anderson Cadets,* Capt. George S. Hays; Pennsylvania 
Life Guards, Capt. Williamson; Jefferson Riflemen,* Capt. 
R. E. Johnston; Pittsburgh Artillery, Capt. D. C. Kem- 
merer; National Guards, B, Capt. J. Meyers; Pennsyl- 
vania Life Guards, Capt. G. W. Leonard; Montgomery 
Guards, Capt. M. Brennan; Anderson Infantry,f Capt. 
Alexander Scott ; National Guards, A, Capt. H. Hultz ; Irish 
Volunteers, Capt. John Murphy; Federal Guards,:}: Capt. 
J. C. Hull. 

Great disappointment was created by the announcement, 
on Tuesday, that but six Allegheny county companies could 

* Subsequently admitted. 

•j- Went into service in Virgjinia. 

$ Afterward in the 63d P. V. 

[ 442 ] 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

be accepted and provided for in Camp Wilkins. An im- 
promptu meeting of Captains was held in the Girard House, 
at which forty-five companies were represented. A meet- 
ing was held on the following day, at which a resolution to 
disband was discussed and rejected, and a regimental 
organization determined on. On Thursday twenty-eight 
companies, including a number not previously mentioned, 
were represented, and, after some discussion, two regiments 
were formed. 

First Regiment : Colonel, Alexander Hay ; Lieut.-Colonel, 
Robt. Chester; Major, Abijah Ferguson. 

Second Regiment: Colonel, H. Hultz; Lieut.-Colonel, 
John S. McCombs ; Major, James Barr. 

The Spang Infantry, Capt. Scanlon; Union Artillery, 
Capt. Large ; Turtle Creek Guards, Capt. Kunkle ; McKees- 
port Union Guards, Capt. Snodgrass, and Monongahela 
Blues, Capt. Blackburn, were among the new companies 
represented. 

On Friday four additional companies, making ten from 
Allegheny county, were accepted and ordered into camp. 
They were the Anderson Guards, Chartiers Valley Guards, 
Duncan Guards, Allegheny Rangers, Iron City Guards, 
Garibaldi Guards, Anderson Cadets, City Guards, B, Pitts- 
burgh Rifles, and McKeesport Union Guards.| 

As there had been no provision made as yet for a reserve 
corps in the State, the men were entitled, for the time being, 
to nothing but their rations. In the meantime the Erie 
Regiment, three months' volunteers, under Col. McLean, 
took up quarters in Camp Wilkins, of which Col. McLean 
took command. A special meeting of the Legislature, in 
May, authorized the formation of a Reserve Corps, and 
provided for its maintenance until called into the service of 
the United States. Troops were ordered into camp from 
all of the western counties of the State until over three 
thousand men thronged its confined limits. It was soon 
discovered that the location was poorly adapted for a 
camp, and on May twenty-fifth Gen. McCall was sent by 
the Governor, with a military commission, to examine the 



II Captain R. E. Johnston subsequently secured, by personal application, the 
passage of an act of Legislature for the admission of his company. 

[ 443 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

surrounding country and select another site. Rapid trips 
were made to Sewickley, on the P., F. W. and C. Railroad, 
and Braddock's Fields, on the Pennsylvania Central, and 
on the twenty-seventh the party, composed of Gen. McCall, 
Capt. Sheets, U. S. A., his Aid; Quartermasters McKelvy 
and Benson, Commissary Weaver, Capts. Duncan, Dick, 
Barnes, and others, and Messrs. James Henderson, James 
Gibson, and Jos, S. Lare, proceeded to Hulton, on the 
Allegheny Valley Railroad, and examined the ground thor- 
oughly, finally selecting it as a site for the new camp, which 
was named Camp Wright, in honor of Hon. John A. Wright, 
Aid to the Governor. The camp was laid out on the twenty- 
eighth on a broad field in the rear of the station buildings 
at Hulton, the ground sloping up to a steep eminence, about 
three hundred yards from the river. The parade ground 
was about one-fourth of a mile below, and fronted directly 
on the river. On the thirtieth the first company — the 
Warren Guards, afterwards known as the * ' Wild Cats ' ' — 
took up its quarters in Camp Wright, which was soon after 
filled, by removals from Camp Wilkins and troops from 
other counties, by over four thousand men. 

In Camp Weight. 

Toward the close of June forty companies were collected, 
including the Erie Regiment, while ten companies remained 
at Camp Wilkins. These companies had nearly all re- 
cruited under the call for three months' men, but previous 
to their muster into United States service were required 
to enlist for three years. In some companies a great deal 
of dissatisfaction was occasioned by the change, but all 
were finally sworn into service without the necessity of dis- 
banding. In the beginning of July the State officers ap- 
peared in camp and organized the companies into four 
regiments, of which the Tenth and Eleventh contained no 
Allegheny county companies : 

Eighth Regiment, P. V. C. 

Colonel — George S. Hays. 
Lieut.-Colonel — S. D. Oliphant. 

[ 444 ] 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

Major — John W. Duncan. 
Adjutant — H. W. Patterson. 
Sergeant-Major — Alfred T. Clark, Jr. 
Quartermaster — Joseph Fricker.* 
Co. A — Armstrong Rifles, Capt. L. S. Cantwell. 
Co. B — Jefferson Rifles, Capt. R. E. Johnston. 
Co. C — Anderson Cadets, Capt. George S. Gallope. 
Co. D — Brownsville Greys, Capt. C. L. Conner. 

Co. E , Capt. E. P. Shoenberger. 

Co. F — Hopewell Rifles, Capt. J. Eichelberger. 

Co. G , Capt. J. B. Gardner. 

Co. H — Clarion Union Guards, Capt. Wm. Lemon. 
Co. I — Green County Rangers, Capt. S. M. Baily. 
Co. K — Hopkins Infantry, Capt. A. Wishart. 



Ninth Regiment, P. V. C. 

Colonel — C. F. Jackson. 

Lieut.-Colonel — Robert Anderson. 

Major — J. M'K. Snodgrass. 

Adjutant — T. Brent Swearingen. 

Co. A — City Rifles, Capt. L. W. Smith. 

Co. B — Garibaldi Guards, Capt. F. Hardtmeyer. 

Co. C — Iron City Guards, Capt. James Shannon, 

Co. D — Government Guards, Capt. Robert Galway. 

Co, E — Chartiers Valley Guards, Capt. Charles Barnes. 

Co. F — Meadville Volunteers, Capt. S. B. Dick. 

Co. G — City Guard, B, Capt, Brookbank. 

Co. H — New Brighton Rifles, Capt. Cuthbertson. 

Co. I — M 'Keesport Union Guards, Capt. Wm. Lynch. 

Co. K — Allegheny Rangers, Capt. H, S. Fleming. 



Tenth Regiment, P. V. C. 

Colonel — John S. M'Calmont. 
Lieut.-Colonel — G. T, Kirk. 
Major — H. R. Allen. 

* Afterward detached on signal service. 

[ 445 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Eleventh Regiment, P. V. C. 

Colonel — T. R. Gallaher. 
Lieut.-Colonel — J. R. Porter. 
Major — S. M. Jackson. 

On July seventeenth the reserve regiments were supplied 
with arms — altered muskets — and uniforms, and on the 
twenty-third left for Washington. The entire reserve 
corps was formed into a division under Gen, M'Call, and 
during the winter quartered at Camp Pierpont, a portion 
of the division serving with credit in the battle of Draines- 
ville. In March they were placed under command of Gen. 
M'Dowell, in his movement on Fredericksburg, and in 
June were transferred to the Peninsula in time to partici- 
pate in the Seven Days' Battles. They returned under 
M'Clellan in time for the battles under Gen. Pope before 
Washington, and were again in service in Maryland in the 
battles of South Mountain and Antietam. In every action 
they maintained their high reputation, and earned their 
veteran stamp at a terrible cost of life. Since entering the 
service in July, 1861, the reserves had been reduced from 
fifteen thousand to about six or seven thousand men. Gov. 
Curtin had recently submitted a proposition to the Presi- 
dent to bring home these, and other veteran regiments, by 
detachments, for the purpose of recruiting their enfeebled 
ranks to their former standard. 

The Erie Regiment, 

One of the finest bodies of men raised during the war, 
was enlisted in Erie and adjoining counties under the first 
call for 75,000 men. As the companies were enrolled in 
widely separated localities, some time elapsed before the 
regiment was organized, and it was then too late for accept- 
ance in the State's quota of sixteen regiments. Several of 
the companies were encamped for some time in Erie county, 
but on the organization of the regiment, so great was the 
reluctance of the State authorities to order its disbanding, 
that it was finally determined to retain it for State service, 

[ 446 ] 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

and it was accordingly ordered into camp at Pittsburgh. 
The regiment entered Camp Wilkins on May second, with 
the following organization : 

Colonel — John W. M'Lean.* 
Lieut.-Colonel — Benjamin Grant. 
Major — M. Schlandecker. 
Adjutant — Strong Vincent. 
Surgeon — J. L. Stewart. 
Commissary — J. V. Derrickson. 
Quartermaster — S. B, Benson. 
Co. A — Capt. T. M. Austin. 
Co. B — Capt. H. L. Brown. 
Co. C — Capt. John Graham. 
Co. D — Capt. J. L. Dunn. 
Co. E — Capt. J. A. Austin. 
Co. F — Capt. C. B. Morgan. 
Co. G — Capt. D. W. Hutchinson. 
Co. H — Capt. J. Landrath. 
Co. I — Capt. Frank Wagner. 
Co. K — Capt. J. Kirkpatrick. 

Col. M 'Lean took command of the camp, and of the com- 
panies subsequently ordered into it, until the transfer of 
the main body of the troops to Camp Wright, when Col. 
George S. Hays assumed command of Camp Wilkins. The 
Erie Regiment was mainly uniformed, the liberality of the 
citizens of Erie supplying the means. The uniform was a 
showy and handsome one, and added greatly to the military 
appearance of the regiment. Prior to the transfer of the 
regiment to Camp Wright great excitement was occasioned 
in the county and along the Monongahela valley by a rebel 
raid, supposed to threaten Morgantown, and the regiment, 
together with one or two detached companies, was ordered 
under arms for the defense of the valley. The order was 
countermanded in a few hours, and the companies relapsed 
into their accustomed repose. It was transferred to Camp 
Wright soon after the opening of that camp, and remained 

* Killed at Gaines' Mill, while in command of the 83d P. V. 

[ 447 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

there for nearly two months, incessantly annoyed during 
that time by orders and countermands. During the ' ' Mor- 
gantown scare " arms were provided for them, but not 
distributed, and the regiment was consequently never 
armed. It was never permitted to form a permanent 
organization, and at length Col. M'Lean applied directly 
to the War Department for acceptance. He was informed 
that his regiment would be accepted for three years if 
ready to march at once. On his return, May thirteenth. 
Col. M'Lean announced the result of his mission, on dress 
parade, and the matter was taken into consideration by the 
officers. On laying the proposition before the men, how- 
ever, a majority in nearly every company refused to re-enter 
service for three years. Many had enlisted for three 
months who could not leave their business for a longer 
time, but by far the largest portion were thoroughly dis- 
gusted by their treatment in camp. On July nineteenth 
the regiment was paid off, and on the following day set out 
on its return to Erie, having spent three months in forced 
inaction. The regiment, as such, was never reorganized, 
but nearly all its members re-enlisted under the subsequent 
calls. Col. M'Lean organizing the Eighty-third Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers. He was subsequently killed in action 
before Richmond. 



The Unaccepted Companies. 

It has already been stated that under the three months' 
call forty or fifty companies were raised in excess of the 
county 's quota, and that an attempt was subsequently made 
to organize these companies into independent reserve regi- 
ments. Under a heavy '' outside pressure " Gov. Curtin 
finally agreed to establish a camp at Pittsburgh, and to 
order six Allegheny county companies into it. Strenuous 
efforts were made by all the captains to secure quarters 
in camp for their men, but out of over forty applicants only 
four were successful. Meetings of the captains were being 
held daily, and the selection of ten companies became a 
theme of angry comment among those not selected, or as 
they were afterwards known, the " Unaccepted Com- 

[ 448 ] 



RECORDJS OF FOUR WARS 

panies, ' ' Committees were appointed to wait on the Com- 
mittee of Public Safety, on the Governor, and every one, in 
fact, to whom the companies could look for assistance in 
their difficulties. The meetings were not always har- 
monious, and utterly failed in advancing the cause for 
which they were held, becoming at length merely gather- 
ings for the purpose of venting contending views. The 
position of many of the officers was extremely trying. 
Some had recruited companies with their own funds, at the 
very outset of the excitement, and had supported the men, 
mainly at their own expense, for several weeks. Others, 
who had made their appearance in the field latter, had 
recruited companies and been ordered into camp, where 
they would at least be maintained without cost to the 
officers. This fact, especially, became a subject of bitter 
comment, and charges of unfairness and partiality were 
freely bandied by the unsuccessful. The selection of the 
ten companies, as may be supposed, had an extremely bad 
effect upon the " unaccepted," which gradually began to 
decline. It was discovered, at length, that no aid could be 
obtained either from the State authorities or the com- 
munity, and the companies began gradually to disband. 
As already noted, a portion, embracing twenty-four of the 
companies, had been organized into two regiments, and a 
proposition was made to the Committee of Public Safety 
to maintain these organizations, if the community would 
furnish the necessary supplies and shelter for the men. 
Linden Grove being selected as a camping ground. The 
committee declined to assume the responsibility, having no 
fund for the purpose, and the organizations at legnth 
yielded to inevitable fate, and disbanded. The last meet- 
ing of the captains, of which we have any record, was held 
on May twenty-second, and adjourned to meet at the call 
of another committee appointed to wait upon the Governor. 
Whether this committee ever reported we do not know, but 
as the companies were already entering the organizations 
of other States, it is not probable. 

Had any concerted effort been made at this time by the 
community, there is no doubt that two or three regiments 
might have been maintained at comparatively trifling cost, 
29 [ 449 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

until required under the second requisition for volunteer 
troops. Gov. Curtin, although he had recommended the 
formation of a reserve corps, refused to sanction the forma- 
tion of companies for such an organization, until forced to 
do so by popular opinion. In New York, on the contrary, 
Gen. Sickles' brigade was established, although volunteers; 
came in so slowly from the State that companies from other ' 
States were willingly accepted. Western Virginia, too,, 
which was just beginning to assert its loyalty, found thes 
mustering of the State quota of volunteers extremely diffi-- 
cult, and at length established a camp on Wheeling Island, , 
to which volunteers from all the surrounding States werei 
invited. 

In the meantime it had become apparent that the Rebel- 
lion could not be put down in three months, nor by seventy- 
five thousand men, and the loyal community anxiously 
awaited a second call. Among the independent organiza-- 
tions and unaccepted companies, the subject of a three; 
years' enlistment had already been broached, and was gen-- 
erally concurred in. 

The two independent regiments formed of the unaccepted I 
companies of Allegheny county were pledged to three; 
years' enlistment, if taken into government service. The> 
inducements held out by Virginia and New York, at length] 
proved too strong for the companies so anxiously awaitingr 
employment at Pittsburgh, and men began to leave by 
squads, and finally by companies for Wheeling. 

On May fourteenth the first squad of thirty men left for- 
Camp Carlile, on Wheeling Island. It was subsequently- 
announced that all companies would rendezvous at Wells- 
ville, and on Virginia soil re-organize as Virginia com- 
panies, by re-electing their officers. 

On the ninth, fifty volunteers from different companies,, 
some of them disbanded, followed to Wheeling and entered I 
Virginia companies. On the twenty-second, the Spang; 
Infantry, Capt. Scanlon, and Woods Guards, Capt. Hays,, 
left for Wheeling, followed on May second by the Jacksoni 
Guards, Capt. Flesher. The Plummer Guards, Capt. Johnij 
D. Owens (now Lieut.-Colonel 139th Pa. Vols.), a com- 
pany exclusively organized and uniformed by Jos. Plum- 

[ 450 ] 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

mer, Esq., of this city, started for Camp Carlile on June 
fifth, in company with the Anderson Infantry, Capt. Alex- 
ander Scott, subsequently known as the Belmont Guards. 
The Firemen Zouaves were organized in Camp Carlile, on 
June tenth, by Capt. Robt. Gibson. On the sixth and 
seventh of June the Friend Rifles, Capt. Brunn, a company 
organized and uniformed by Porter R. Friend, Esq., and 
the U. S. Zouave Cadets, Co. B, under Capt. John P. Glass, 
left for New York, where they were subsequently organized 
in the Sickle's Excelsior Brigade — the former as Co. A, 
Third Regiment, and the latter as Co. A, Fifth Regiment, 
A few days after the arrival of the companies in New York, 
two members of the Zouaves, Lieutenants Ahl and W. W. 
Wattles, returned and organized Co. C of the Cadets, 
which left for New York on the twenty-first of June. 
Under the auspices of Capt. Brunn a second company of 
Friend Rifles was also recruited in a few days, and left, 
under command of Capt. Alex. Hay, for New York, on the 
twenty-first, in company with Co. C of the Zouaves. Some 
difficulty took place on their arrival in New York, and the 
two companies, or the major portion of them, returned to 
Philadelphia, and were organized in the celebrated Geary's 
Regiment, since claimed as a " Philadelphia organization, ' ' 
exclusively. 

The Pittsburgh Independent Scouts, Capt. Anderson, 
started on the twentieth of June for Reading, where they 
were incorporated in a cavalry regiment. 

The falling off of men to join the reserve companies in 
Camp Wilkins, and those who entered service in New York 
and Virginia regiments, so reduced the unaccepted com- 
panies, which still retained their organization, as to render 
their disbanding an imperative necessity. One of the first 
companies disbanded — the Pennsylvania Life Guards — 
had already cost Capt. Williams, for maintenance, $600. 

Circumstances have since shown what a fatal blunder was 
committed in allowing these companies to enter the service 
of other States, without making any provision for their 
recognition by the authorities of Pennsylvania. Many 
hundreds of men left the county in organized companies, 
and there can be no doubt that nearly an equal number left 

[ 451 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

singly or in small detaclunents and entered companies 
formed in other States, thus leaving no trace whatever of 
their military service. The neglect of the county to pro- 
vide an efficient organization, and to furnish support to the 
" Unaccepted Companies," had reduced the list of troops 
furnished, on which it had relied to avoid a draft, nearly 
three thousand men. A carefully prepared list of the com- 
panies, which entered the service outside of Allegheny 
county regiments, shows but eight or ten infantry com- 
panies, including those of Captains West, Ewing, Gibson, 
and Scott in the Second Virginia. 

The Clothing Fraud. 

No history of the '' three months' campaign " would be 
complete without a record of the celebrated *' clothing 
fraud case. ' ' It will be remembered that on the outbreak 
of the Rebellion there was on hand in the country but a 
small supply of *' military goods," such as heavy blue 
cloth for uniforms, blankets, and shoes. In purchasing 
supplies for the State troops it became necessary, therefore, 
to adopt a different standard of goods, and in the haste, 
requisite to fit out the quota of Pennsylvania immediately, 
the ordinary routine of advertising for proposals was 
abandoned, opening a wide field for corruption and rascal- 
ity. The troops had been but a few weeks in camp, after 
receiving their uniforms and equipments from the State, 
until complaints became rife of the miserable quality of the 
clothing and shoes. Many of the suits furnished were so 
rotten and poorly made up that they fell to pieces in a few 
days, putting the wearers to the most absurd shifts to 
cover their nakedness. Shoes were found to have been 
constructed with an ' ' insole ' ' of shavings or wood, and so 
slightly put together that the outer sole would part com- 
pany on the first day's wear. The blouses were made up 
of materials so loosely woven as to resemble, in some re- 
spects, bolting cloth, and decidedly better fitted for sifting 
grain than protecting the wearers from the inclemency of 
the weather. The material used for this clothing was that 
generally known in trade as shoddy, a stuff made up by 

[ 452 ] 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

machinery from old woolen cloth. On May twenty-first 
the first exposition of the frauds connected with these cloth- 
ing contracts appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer. A 
bill for $22,585.00 had been presented by Frowenfeld & 
Bros., of Pittsburgh, who had obtained a contract for a 
large number of uniforms through an individual named 
Charles M. Neal, an '' agent " for the State of Pennsyl- 
vania, and on whose endorsement the bill was '* passed." 
The bill read as follows : 

2,085 uniforms at $10 $20,850 

347 pairs of pantaloons at $5 1,735 



$22,585 



The " uniforms " spoken of included, it is supposed, a 
coat or "■ blouse " and pantaloons, though the separate 
charge throws some doubt on the last item. Subsequent 
inquiry has utterly failed to show by what authority Mr. 
Neal acted in this matter, as Gov. Curtin entirely repudi- 
ated any " agencies " save those legitimately appointed — 
Quartermaster-General Hale and Commissary-General 
Irvin. The quality of the goods for which these enormous 
charges were made, and the relation of Mr. Neal to the 
contract, were afterwards fully shown by legal investiga- 
tion. 

We have already noticed the operations of the Executive 
Committee of the Committee of Public Safety, and soon 
after this statement was published, an investigation was 
commenced by the committee. On Tuesday, May twenty- 
eighth, M. Swartzwelder, Esq., at a meeting of the com- 
mittee, offered a preamble and resolution alluding to the 
charges of fraud in general circulation, and providing for 
the appointment of a committee to investigate the charges. 
The resolutions were adopted, and the following committee 
appointed: M. Swartzwelder, Esq., Thos. Bakewell, Esq., 
Hon. Wm. F. Johnston, and Wm. M. Shinn, Esq. 

This committee addressed a note to the Messrs. Frowen- 
feld, inviting their attendance at the examination, on Wed- 
nesday, May twenty-ninth, but as neither of them appeared 
the committee sent a second note by Mr. Riddle, one of the 

[ 453 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Mayor's police. To this note an insolent reply was re- 
turned, that the parties accused would have nothing to say, 
and an intimation that the bearer of the note would be 
shown the door. Messrs. Frowenfeld had a few days 
before published a note in relation to the charges made 
against them, and requested a public investigation ; as they 
now refused to appear the committee proceeded without 
them. They examined but five witnesses, on whose state- 
ments the matter was brought before the Grand Jury on 
Tuesday, June fourth. M. Swartzwelder, Esq., and Thos. 
Williams, Esq., were retained as prosecuting counsel. 

The court met on June third, and the Grand Jury organ- 
ized, after an able charge from Judge M'Clure, in which 
the rascality of contractors was severely commented on, 
and the jury charged to regard the furnishing of improper 
food or rotten clothes as giving aid and comfort to the 
enemy. On Monday, June twenty-fifth, Mr. Marshall, 
counsel for the Frowenfeld s, moved for a continuance of 
the case until the next term of court. Messrs. Thos. Wil- 
liams, M. Swartzwelder, and J. H. Miller appeared for the 
Commonwealth, and Hon. Chas. Shaler, Thos. M. Marshall, 
F. H. Collier, S. W. Black, J. M. Kirkpatrick, Jno. Mellon, 
and John Coyle, Esqs., for the defense. The case was 
argued on the same day, on the ground that Alfred Slade, 
J. N. Shannon, and Jos. Lee, material witnesses for the 
defendants, were absent. The court withheld a decision 
until the Monday following, when, the docket having been 
meantime cleared, the case was taken up, and tw^o of the 
'' necessary witnesses " were brought into court. The 
third proved to be of no importance. Neal 's bail had been 
forfeited, but was now renewed by his counsel, Mr. Brew- 
ster, of Philadelphia. To the intense surprise of the com- 
munity, the case was here closed by a certiorari to the 
Supreme Court, and an allocatur from Judge Lowrie, the 
defendants having sworn that the president-judge was so 
far prejudiced against them that they could not obtain 
justice. Such a grave impeachment of the venerable and 
upright judge of the Quarter Sessions Court, as was con- 
tained in this affidavit, should never have obtained credence 
from the Supreme Court, and the surprise of the prosecut- 

[ 454 ] 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

ing attorneys may well be pardoned. A rule to show cause 
why the certiorari should not be rescinded was argued 
before the Supreme Court, on July second, and the case 
was regularly transferred to the Supreme Court, and a 
hearing fixed for the first Monday in September. At this 
time a continuance was asked by the Commonwealth, Syl- 
vester W. Murphy, a clerk of the Frowenfelds, and a very 
important witness, inasmuch as the prosecution was in a 
great measure based on his testimony before the Grand 
Jury, being absent. The case was continued till the 
eighteenth inst. On that date, Murphy being still absent, 
a nolle pros was entered, with the intention of entering a 
new bill on the reappearance of the witness. Murphy was 
subsequently arrested in Philadelphia, on his return from 
his trip to Europe, but this extraordinary case was never 
tried, although the fact that the suits were not worth half 
the money charged was well substantiated. Their esti- 
mated cost was $7.00 ; actual value for wear, nothing. 

The Second Requisition. 

Five Hundred Thousand Volunteers. 

One of the most important acts of the special session of 
Congress, called by Mr. Lincoln, was to authorize the Presi- 
dent to accept the services of 500,000 volunteers for three 
years. Under this act, arrangements were made at once 
for re-organizing the three months' regiments then in the 
field. Unfortunately, the experience of the Pennsylvania 
troops had not been such as to induce them to favor the 
project. Many were utterly disgusted with the organization 
of their companies and regiments, scores of men holding 
commissions as field and line officers, were wholly unfit 
for the positions they occupied. Many were so dissipated 
that during the entire campaign their commands derived no 
benefit whatever from their instructions. Others were dis- 
satisfied with the treatment they had received at the hands 
of the State authorities. Towards the close of their term 
of service, the general management of the State quota was 
greatly improved, but the rotten clothes, and still worse, 

[ 455 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

the rotten food, supplied at the outset of the campaign, were 
still fresh in the memories of the outraged troops. The 
principal objection, however, originated no doubt in the 
utterly idle and unprofitable character of the campaigns just 
closing. For nearly three months, the men had lain idly in 
camps or had been fruitlessly marched and counter-marched 
until completely worn down. We have already given in 
detail the campaign of the four regiments in which the Alle- 
gheny companies were organized, and an ample illustration 
of all of these causes of complaint will be found in this brief 
sketch. 

As we have already noted, the troops composing the 
Allegheny county quota reached home on the twenty-ninth 
of July, and first of August, scattered detachments having 
arrived during the previous week. The reserve regiments 
had been sent to Washington a few days previous, but the 
city was by no means cleared of military. 

On the twenty-ninth, a camp for regular cavalry was 
established at Linden Grove, under Col. Emory, and several 
of the unaccepted companies, which had maintained their 
organizations, were pressing forward. 

On the arrival of the disbanded three months' men, re- 
cruiting offices were at once established, and after a few 
days of comparative quiet, recruiting proceeded almost as 
briskly as in the earlier days of the war excitement, al- 
though men were already beginning to thoroughly compre- 
hend the trials of the service, and the magnitude of the task 
before the government. 

On the twenty-fifth of July, Gen. Geo. B. M'Clellan - 
who up till a few days previous had held a comparatively 
unimportant command in Western Virginia, had been 
called to Washington to assume the task of re-organizing 
the army — passed through the city. He was received at 
the Allegheny Station by an immense crowd, and was es- 
corted to the Monongahela House by the Twin City 
Rangers, Capt. Geo. Thompson, and Allegheny Greys, Capt. 
Boisel. Nearly all the Home Guard companies in the two 
cities were in the line of procession, which was closed by the 
companies composing the Fire Department. The Fort Pitt 
battery, divided into two sections and stationed on Cliff 

[ 456 ] 



RECOEDS OF FOUR WARS 

street and Seminary Hill, fired a Major-General's salute on 
his arrival. At the Monongahela House he was welcomed 
by Judge Shannon, and replied briefly. Col. Saml. W. 
Black, who had returned a short time previous from 
Nebraska, of which territory he had been Governor, also 
made an eloquent address, closing the ceremonies of one of 
the most brilliant and enthusiastic receptions ever given by 
the city. 

On the twenty-third inst. an immense mass meeting was 
held in City Hall, in reference to the proposed increase of 
the army. S. F. Von Bonnhorst, Esq., was called to the 
chair, and Thomas P. Bakewell and Rev. John Douglass 
were appointed vice-presidents. Resolutions were adopted 
urging the collection of funds to aid m filling up the com- 
panies recruiting, and to provide for the families of vol- 
unteers, and the following gentlemen appointed on the com- 
mittee: Hon. T. M. Howe, H. M'Cullough, Esq., Dr. J. 
Carothers, Wm. Thaw, Esq., John Scott, Esq., and Alex- 
ander Nimick, Esq. The committee set actively about the 
duties entrusted to them, and on the following week the 
recruiting of a regiment, to be under command of Col. 
Oliver H. Rippey, was commenced. A regiment was already 
partially recruited for Col. Samuel W. Black, and Col. Row- 
ley, of the Thirteenth P. V., began the re-organization of 
that regiment, Lieuts. Foster and M'llwaine recruiting 
companies. On Saturday, August third, the first three 
years' regiment left for Washington under Col. Black. 

The Three Years' Service Men.* 

Recruited in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. 

Eleventh Regiment. 

Co. G — Captains John B. McGrew, Robert Anderson. 

Twenty-eighth Regiment. 
Co. L — Capt. James Barr. 

* Roster from the History of Allegheny County. 

[ 457 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Thirty-seventh Regiment — Eighth Reserves. 

Colonel — George S. Hays, M. D. 

Co. B — Captains Robert E. Johnson, Frank M. Nelson. 

Co. C — Captains George Hays, George S. Gallnpe, Jo- 
seph Fricker. 

Co. E — Captains John W. Duncan, E. P. Shoenberger, 
William Brooks. 

Thirty-eighth Regiment — Ninth Reserves. 

Co. A — Captains L. W. Smith, Charles W. Owston. 

Co. B — Captains F. Hardtmeyer, Emil Von Sothen, 
Henry Fuhren. 

Co. C — Captains James T. Shannon, Robert Taggart. 

Co. D — Captains Robert Galway, John K. Barbour, 
James B. Ludwick. 

Co. E — Captains Charles Barnes, William H. Erwin. 

Co. G — Capt. John B. Brookbank. 

Co. I — Captains William Lynch, Hartley Howard. 

Co. K — Captains H. S. Fleming, James W. Ballentine. 

Forty-fourth Regiment — First Cavalry. 
Co. K — Captains William Boyce, Jos. H. Williams. 

Forty-sixth Regiment. 

Co. B — Captains William L. Foulk, Henry N. Great- 
sake, Elijah Barnes. 

Co. F — Captains Benjamin W. Morgan, Neal Craig, 
Eugene Alexander. 

Forty-ninth Regiment. 
Co. K - Capt. John F. Reynolds. 

Fifth Regiment — West Virginia Cavalry Volunteers. 

Lieut.-Colonel — Alexander Scott. 
Major — David D. Barclay. 

[ 458 ] 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

First Lieutenant and Quartermaster — John C. French. 

Co. A — Captains Albert C. Hayes, William Otto, John 
A. Hunter, Oliver R. West. 

Co. D — Captains Thomas Gibson, Jr., D. D. Barclay, 
John R. Frisbee. 

Co. F — Captains Alexander Scott, Henry C. Flesher, 
Thomas B. Smith. 

First Regiment — West Virginia Artillery. 
Co. G — Captains J. D. Owens, Chatham T. Ewing. 

Fifty-seventh Regiment. 

Co. C — Captains Jerome B. Hoagland, William B. 
Neeper, Sprague S. Hill, Michael W. Houser. 

Co. E — Captains James B. Moore, Wm. S, Ebbeeman, 
Edson J. Rice, Edgar Williams, Ellis C. Strouss. 

Sixtieth Regiment — Third Cavalry. 
Co. G — Captains O. 0. G. Robinson, J. Lee Englebert. 

Sixty-first Regiment. 

Co. B — Captains Lewis Redenback, Casper Kauffman. 

Co. C — Captains George W. Dawson, W. 0. H. Robin- 
son, Charles S. Greene, John W. McClay. 

Co. E — Captains Alexander Hay, William H. Crawford, 
William J. Glenn, Charles H. Clausen, Andrew J. Bingham. 

Co. F — Isaac Wright, Charles H. Bryson, William H. 
Rogers. 

Co. H — Capt. Horatio K. Tyler. 

Co. I — Capt. Isaac Wright. 

Co. K — Captains Joseph Gerard, Louis Hager, David 
McClaiu. 

New Co. K — Capt. Henry Scriba. 

Sixty-second Regiment. 

Colonels — Samuel W. Black, J. Bowman Sweitzer. 
Lieut.-Colonel — T. Frederick Lehman. 

[ 459 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Co. A — Captains James C. Hull, James Brown, William 
Crider. 

Co. B — Captains James W. Patterson, William J. Salis- 
bury, Matthew M. Felker. 

Co. F - Capt. Edward S. Wright. 

Co. G — Captains Frank C. O'Brien, William Kennedy. 

Co. H — Captains John Espy, Samuel Conner. 

Co. K — Captains Alexander W. McDonald, Ed. W. Tim- 
mony. 

Co. L — Captains Shepley R. Holmes, Detrick Gruntz. 

Sixty-third Regiment. 

Colonels — Alexander Hays, A. S. M. Morgan. 

Co. A — Captains J. M. C. Berringer, William Smith, 
William P. Hunker. 

Co. B — Captains Wm. S. Kirkwood, Tim. L. Maynard, 
Robert A. Nesbit. 

Co. C — Captains Jason R. Hanna, Charles W. Taylor, 
George W. Gray, George Weaver. 

Co. D — Captains Harry 0. Ormsbee, Benjamin F. Dun- 
ham, William J. Thompson, G. Emanuel Gross. 

Co. E — Captains John A. Danks, John McClellan. 

Co. G — Captains Charles W. McHenry, Isaac Moorhead. 

Co. H — Captains Maurice Wallace, C. B. McCulloiigh, 
William Keenan, Hugh B. Fulton, William H. Jeffries, 
Daniel Dougherty. 

Co. I — Captains James F. Ryan, William C. Mcintosh. 

Co. K — Captains Charles W. Chapman, William Hays 
Brown, Theodore Bagaley, George B. Chalmers. 

Sixty-fourth Regiment — Fourth Cavalry. 

Colonel — James H. Childs. 

Co. B — Captains Samuel B. M. Young, Frank H. Parke, 
James H. Grenet. 

Co. E — Captains James A. Herron, Robert A. Robinson, 
William K. Gillespie. 

Co. G — Captains Benjamin B. Blood, Elias L. Gillespie, 
Daniel C. Boggs. 

[ 460 1 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

Sixty-fifth Regiment — Fifth Cavalry. 

Co. L — Captains D. P. Hagameister, John E. Reinmil- 
ler, John C. Brown, William Rawle Brooke. 

Co. M — Captains Anderson Faith, John P. Wenzel, G. 
S. L. Ward. 

Sixty-seventh Regiment. 
Co. I - Capt. John F. McDonald. 

Seventy-fourth Regiment. 

Co. B — Captains John G. Wilson, Peter C. Spencer. 

Co. I — Captains John Hamm, Charles Kapp, Ernest 
Matzka, Michael Rossell, Gustav Sehliter, Gottlieb Hoburg, 
Carl Veitenheimer, Charles Neidhart. 

Co. K — Captains Alexander Von Mitzel, John Zeh. 

Seventy-sixth Regiment. 
Co. K — Captains John S. Littell, William S. Moorhead. 

Seventy-seventh Regiment. 

Co. B — Captains Thomas E. Rose, John W. Kreps, 
Frank A. M. Kreps. 

New Co. D — Capt. James Shaw. 
Co. E — Capt. Wm. A. Robinson. 
New Co. E - Capt. Sidney J. Brauff. 

Seventy-eighth Regiment. 

Colonel — Augustus B. Bonnaffon. 
New Co. F — Capt. James F. Graham. 
New Co. H — Capt. Paul Crawford. 
New Co. I - Capt. Charles D. Wiley. 

Eightieth Regiment — Seventh Cavalry. 

Co. H — Captains Samuel Hibler, Charles L. Greeno, 
Clinton W. Boone. 

Co. M — Captains Bartholomew Scanlin, Joseph G. Vale, 
Charles Brandt. 

[ 461 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Eighty-second Regiment. 

Colonel — David H. Williams. 

Co. B — Captains William Kopp, William H. Knight. 

Eighty-third Regiment. 

New Co. G — Capt. Casper Gang. 

New Co. H — Capt. Henry W. Horbach. 

Eighty-seventh Regiment. 

New Co. F — Capt. James R. McCormick. 
New Co. G — Capt. Wm. H. Trovillo. 

One Hundred and First Regiment. 

Co. A — Captains David M. Armour, James Sheafer. 
Co. E — Captains James Clialfant, L. T. Fetterman. 
Co. G — Captains William B. Sprague, David W. Mullin. 
Co. I — Capt. George W. Bowers. 

One Hundred and Second Regiment. 

Colonels — Thomas A. Rowley, Joseph M. Kinkead, John 
W. Paterson, James Patehell. 

Lieut.-Colonels — William Mcllwaine, James D. Kirk. 

Majors — John Poland, Joseph Browne, Thomas Mc- 
Laughlin, James H. Coleman, James D. Duncan. 

Adjutants — Robert M. Kinkead, Alexander P. Callow, 
Louis F. Brown. 

Quartermasters — Allen C. Day, James T. Wray, An- 
drew W. Moreland, Marcus W. Lewis. 

Surgeons — W. J. Fleming, Mat. P. Morrison. 

Assistant Surgeons — Isaac Hughes, Jonathan H. Rob- 
erts, C. C. V. A. Crawford, J. J. Pennypacker. 

Chaplains — Alexander M. Stewart, David Jones. 

Sergeant-Majors — Andrew A. Wasson, Andrew Wayt, 
William McConway. 

Quartermaster-Sergeants — William Earle, Hamilton J. 
Rodgers, William S. Sheib. 

[ 462 1 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

Commissary-Sergeants — William H. Cowan, Richard 
Barrows. 

Musicians — Randolph C. Curry, Cooper Feilding. 

Hospital Stewards — Charles F. Clifford, Arthur Wylie. 

Co. A — Captains J. Heron Foster, Charles G. Foster, 
W. Stewart Day, Foster Alward. 

Co. B — Captains Thomas H. Duff, Thomas E. Kirk- 
bride, James S. Mclntyre. 

Co. C — Captains Andrew Large, John Large, Denny 
O'Neil, Samuel Mathews. 

Co. D — Captains William C. Enright, James Patchell. 

Co. E — Captains John W. Patterson, Thomas Dain, 
James Bishop, Samuel M. Duvall. 

Co. F — Captains William Mellwaine, James D. Duncan, 
Hugh Mellwaine. 

Co. G — Captains James H. Coleman, John J. Boyd. 

Co. H — Captains Thomas McLaughlin, Robert W. Lyon. 

Co. I — Captains Orlando M. Loomis, W. H. H. Hubley. 

Co. K — Captains Hamlet Lowe, Wm. J. McCreary, Wil- 
liam D. Jones, George H. Workman. 

Co. L — Captains James D. McFarland, James D. Kirk. 

Co. M — Captains Samuel L. Fullwood, A. D. J. 
Heastings. 

One Hundred and Third Regiment. 

Co. C — Captains Simon P. Townsend, Albert Fahne- 
stock, John M. Cochran, Thomas A. Cochran. 

Co. F — Captains Math. B. McDowell, Josiah Zink, John 
Donaghy. 

Co. I — Captains Wilson C. Maxwell, William Fielding. 

Co. K — Capt. James Adams. 

One Hundred and Fifth Regiment. 

Co. D — Captains John Rose, Levi Bird Duff, Isaac L. 
Piatt, William Kelly. 

One Hundred and Seventeenth Regiment — Thirteenth 

Cavalry. 

Co. E — Captains Patrick Kane, Nathaniel S. Sneyd, 
George R. McGuire. 

[ 463 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment — Nine 
Months' Service. 

Colonel — John B. Clark. 

Lieut.-Colonels — Frederick Gast, Richard C. Dale. 

Majors — Hugh Danver, Charles D. Wiley. 

Adjutant — Wm. P. McNary. 

Quartermaster — Frank M. Love, 

Surgeon — Henry F. Martin. 

Assistant Surgeons — John S. Angle, Samuel S. Stewart, 
William S. Stewart. 

Chaplain — H. L. Chapman. 

Sergeant-Majors — Bascom B. Smith, John Lord. 

Quartermaster-Sergeant — Franklin G. Bailey. 

Commissary-Sergeant — James C. Pearson. 

Hospital Steward — Laurence S. White. 

Co. A — Captains Frederick Gast, Charles D. Wiley, 
Ephraim Wiley. 

Co. B — Captains Hugh Danver, Hugh B. Murphy. 

Co. C — Capt. David E. Adams. 

Co. D — Capt. Horatio K. Tyler. 

Co. E — Capt. John S. Bell. 

Co. F — Captains John Boyd, Michael Bair. 

Co. G — Captains Daniel Boisel, Robert T. Woodburn. 

Co. H — Capt. Simon Drum. 

Co. I — Capt. Robert D. Humes. 

Co. K — Captains Henry Maxwell, Thomas Maxwell. 



One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment — Nine 
Months' Service. 

Colonel — Thomas M. Bayne. 
Lieut.-Colonel — Isaac Wright. 
Adjutant — Alex. H. Rodgers. 
Co. E — Captains Isaac Wright, David Evans. 
Co. F — Capt. Edward J. Seibert. 
Co. G — Capt. Henry W. Larimer. 

Co. H — Captains Thomas M. Bayne, Samuel S. Mar- 
ehand, Frank A. Dilworth. 

[ 464 ] 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Regiment. 

Co. D — Captains Robert Munroe, Joseph T. Black. 

Co. E — Captains J. M. Sample, Israel V. Hoag, Andrew 
S. Warner. 

Co. F — Captains George W. Marsh, William W. Dyer, 
John Snodgrass. 

Co. G — Captains Edward M. Jenkins, Samuel C. 
Schoyer. 

Co. I — Captains Joseph R. Oxley, John C. Dempsey, 
Wm. P. Herbert, John C. Sample. 

Co. K — Captains James McGregor, William L. Pettit. 

One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment. 

Colonels — Edward J. Allen, John H. Cain, Alfred L. 
Pearson. 

Lieut.-Colonels — James Collard, John Ewing. 

Major — John A. Kline. 

Adjutant — Edward A. Montooth. 

Quartermasters — Frank Van Gorder, James B. Palmer. 

Surgeons — James M. Hoffman, Joseph A. E. Reed, 
Elias C. Kitchen. 

Assistant Surgeons — W. Stockton Wilson, A. D. Tewks- 
bury, Charles K. Thompson. 

Chaplains — John M. Thomas, Joseph Mateer. 

Sergeant-Majors — William Shore, George F. Morgan, 
Arthur W. Bell, John H. Irwin. 

Quartermaster-Sergeant — John G. Ralston. 

Commissary-Sergeant — William B. Glass. 

Hospital Steward — Ellis C. Thorn. 

Musicians — Hawdon Marshall, William Mooney. 

Co. A — Captains Alfred L. Pearson, Frank J. Buchard, 
John C. Stewart, Edward P. Johnston. 

Co. B — Captains Benjamin B. Kerr, Henry W. Grubbs. 

Co. C — Captains John H. Cain, Lee Anshultz, James S. 
Palmer, Augustus E. Heisy. 

Co. D — Captains James J. Hall, Samuel Kilgore. 

Co. E — Captains Frank Van Gorder, Joseph B. Sackett, 
George M. Laughlin. 

30 [ 465 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBUEGH 

Co. F — Captains John Markle, Edward E. Clapp, G. P. 
McClelland. 

Co. I — Captains Samuel A. McKee, John T. Bell. 
Co. K — Captains John A. Cline, Benjamin Huey. 



One Hundred and Ninety-thied Regiment — One Hun- 
dred Days' Service. 

Colonel — John B, Clark. 
Lieut.-Colonel — James W. Ballentine. 
Major — Horatio K. Tyler. 
Adjutant — Wm. P. McNary. 
Quartermaster — Francis G. Bailey. 
Surgeon — Charles Bower. 

Assistant Surgeons — Robert J. Tomb, William N. Miller. 
Sergeant-Major — John C. Mapes. 
Quartermaster-Sergeant — Wm. H. Jeffries. 
Commissary-Sergeant — Horace C. Benham. 
Hospital Steward — Hamilton Yoder. 
Principal Musician — David I. Campbell. 
Co. A — Captains James W. Ballentine, Isaac N. Mc- 
Munn. 

Co. B — Captains John B. Clark, John S. Bell. 

Co. C — Capt. John Dorrington. 

Co. D — Capt. Frederick Gast. 

Co. F — Capt. James L. Graham. 

Co. G — Capt. James E. Crow. 

Co. H — Captains Horatio K. Tyler, James R. Macormac. 

Co. K — Capt. Isaac Wright. 

Two Hundred and Fourth Regiment — Fifth Artillery. 

Colonel — George S. Gallupe. 
Lieut.-Colonel — - Joseph Browne. 

Majors — Michael Baer, Howard Morton, George M. 
Irwin, Wm. H. Hope. 

Adjutant — Robert G. Hare. 
Quartermaster — Wm. H. McClelland. 
Surgeon — John Barber. 

Assistant Surgeons — James McCann, David R. Greenlee. 

[ 466 ] 



EECORDS OF FOIJK WARS 

Sergeant-Major — Lucius R. Boyle. 

Quartermaster-Sergeant — Charles Barker. 

Commissary-Sergeants — John N. Zeigler, Wm. T. 
Stevenson. 

Hospital Steward — Wm. H. Whitmore. 

Chief Bugler — Ferdinand A. Winters. 

Battery A — Captains William H. Hope, Albert Peart. 

Battery B — Captains George M. Irwin, Charles D. 
Rhodes. 

Battery C — Capt. Richard B. Young. 

Battery D — Capt. Webster B. Lowman. 

Battery E — Capt. Joseph Anderson. 

Battery F ■ — Capt. Francis C. Flanigin. 

Battery G — Capt. Christian Ross. 

Battery H — Captains Augustus Hani, Geo. W, Smith. 

Battery I — Capt. James C. Hawk. 

Battery K — Capt. John M. Kent. 

Battery L — Capt. Joseph B. Zeigler. 

Battery M — Capt. John E. Alward. 

Independent Battery C (Thompson's) — Capt. James 
Thompson. 

Independent Battery E (Knap's) — Captains Joseph M. 
Knap, Charles A. Atwell, James D. McGill, Thomas S. 
Sloan. 

Independent Battery F (Hampton's) — Captains Robert 
B. Hampton, Nathaniel Irish. 

Independent Battery G (Young's) — Capt. John Jay 
Young. 

Independent Batter}' II (John J. Nevin's) — Captains 
John J. Nevin, William Borrowe, Edwin H. Nevin, Jr. 

Then came the day when danger threatened Pittsburgh, 
late in the Spring of 1863, immediately following the battle 
of Chancellorsville. 

Perhaps this may have been a " scare," but there is no 
doubt that General Lee was ordered by the Southern Con- 
federacy to make Pittsburgh, if possible. It may even be 
that his intention was to reach Lake Erie, and then, as 
always, Pittsburgh was a great stragetic point. The rumors 
of this contemplated invasion were abroad long before 

[ 467 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Lee's army ever entered Pennsylvania. General Hooker 
suspected it early in May, and so had Secretary of War 
Stanton even earlier. Pittsburghers did not slight these 
valuable warnings. The question was thoroughly dis- 
cussed, and by June sixth, 1863, it was decided to appoint 
a ^' Committee on Organization for Home Defenses." It 
was composed of J. Herron Foster, Chairman, T. M. Bayne, 
J. B. Clark, Robert Galway, Lieut.-Col. J. B, Kiddo, Major 
Joseph Brown, J. N. Knap, C. W. McHenry, R. H. Patter- 
son, E. J. Seibert, and John H. Stewart. They addressed 
the people of the county, urging them to form military 
organizations; by the ninth a battery of artillery was 
formed, and on the tenth Gen. J. G. Barnard, government 
engineer, arrived to erect the fortifications. 

The Hon. Thomas M. Howe, then Assistant Adjutant- 
General of the State, received the following: 

" Wae Depaetment,' 11.45 p. m. 

'* Washington, June 10, 1863. 
''To Hon. Thomas M. Hoive: 

'■ ' Major-General Brooks left here this morning for Pitts- 
burgh to take command of the ' Department of the Monon- 
gahela.' He is an able and resolute officer, but will need 
all the assistance you and your people can give. I wish 
you would go on his staff. The latest intelligence indicates 
that you have no time to lose organizing and pTeparing for 
defense. All the field artillery on hand at Watertown has 
been sent by express to Pittsburgh. Whatever aid can be 
given here you shall have. 

" Edwin M. Stanton." 

The people were, of course, stirred and resolute for their 
own defense. On the following Sunday evening there was 
a meeting of the citizens, which took place at the Monon- 
gahela House, with Thomas Bakewell, Esq., in the chair, 
George H. Thurston serving as secretary. After much 
consideration it was decided to close all the shops and 
factories in the city and to put the men to work, under the 
government engineers, to erect the fortifications, and early 

[ 468 ] 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

the following morning the employees of the different mills 
and factories assembled in crowds in front of the Monon- 
gahela House, ready for any work. 

George H. Thurston was put in charge of the work on 
Herron Hill ; on Davis Hill the men reported to Capt. Bar- 
bour, and on Mt. Washington to Gen. James G. Barnard. 
Merchants led their men to the earthworks themselves. 
Jones & Laughlin said, ' ' give us your engineers, plans, and 
specifications for the fort you desire built on the Hill 
above us and we will do the rest," and they put two thou- 
sand of their own men to work, paying them out of their 
own pockets the regular government wages. The Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad Company sent two hundred of their own 
men with twenty carts, and two hundred retailers of the 
south side organized and were given places. One hundred 
and forty men came from the Draymen and Carters' 
Society, one hundred and thirty from various places, two 
hundred and seventy-four from cooper shops, fifty-five 
from the police force, fifty from what was known as the 
Arsenal Guard, forty-eight from the Fort Pitt Foundry 
Company, forty water boys, and thirty-two of the city 
photographers. The entire city turned out for its own 
defense. All the liquor stores were shut, and the work still 
went on. From Jefferson College came ninety students, 
who went to work with pick and shovel as zealously as any 
one else. In all, there were on some days as many as six- 
teen thousand at work on the trenches, and it was not long 
before the city surroundings presented the appearance of 
real war, with its miles of earthworks, redoubts, and forts. 

No. 1 embraced the line from Gazzam's hill to Wine- 
biddle woods; No. 2 comprised works on Squirrel hill; 
No. 3, the works south of the Monongahela river ; No. 4, the 
works in Allegheny ; No. 5, the works on Davis hill, between 
Lawrenceville and East Liberty, and No. 6, the works at 
Turtle Creek. 

Many people thought martial law ought to be declared, 
and nearly all business was suspended, but by the opening 
days of July the fortifications were practically finished, and 
it was thoroughly realized by that time that the southerners 
would never reach Pittsburgh. The gallantry that had 

[ 469 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

carried them into Chambersburg had not the enduring 
strength to bring them into Pittsburgh. Later came the 
battle of Gettysburg, and the strength of the south was 
broken. When the news of that great victory was heard in 
Pittsburgh, signal rockets were fired for five minutes from 
the twenty-seven forts, and the hills echoed with the re- 
joicings. Some of these grass-grown fortifications can be 
seen to-day, but many of them have been removed, because 
there is only room in Pittsburgh for great industries, and 
places for the people whose vitality gives it life. 

The Third REQuisiTio^ir and a History of the Draft.* 

The third requisition for three hundred thousand men, 
and the draft ordered for an equal number, may be treated 
as a single event, as but few volunteers were secured until 
after the second order was issued. In several States the 
orders were considered as a call for six hundred thousand 
men, and apportioned among the district as a single quota. 
In Pennsylvania the recruiting of the quota had been so 
mismanaged that no definite policy can be said to have been 
pursued relative to it. It is quite probable that the gov- 
ernors were notified on the issuing of the third requisition 
that an order for a draft would follow, but no public or 
official notice to that effect was given, although rumors of a 
draft preceded the publication of the order several days. 

On the twenty-eighth of June, a letter was addressed to 
the President by the Governors of the loyal States, request- 
ing him to take measures for an immediate increase of the 
army. In pursuance of this request, the President, on the 
first of July, issued his third requisition, calling upon the 
loyal States to furnish three hundred thousand volunteers. 
In some of the States immediate steps were taken for re- 
cruiting the quota required, but in Pennsylvania the vol- 
unteer movements were proceeding very leisurely on the 
twenty-first, when the Governor issued his proclamation 
calling for twenty-one regiments of volunteers in the State. 
He had in the interim secured an order for the acceptance 
of nine months, instead of three years' volunteers, and 

* Anonymous pamphlet continued. 

[ 470 ] 



EECORDS OP FOUR WARS 

recruits for the old regiments for twelve months. Congress, 
at its previous session, fixed a bounty for volunteers of one 
hundred dollars, one-fourth to be paid at the time of enlist- 
ment and the balance at the close. It had also sanctioned 
the payment of one month's pay in advance, making an 
enlistment bounty of thirty-eight dollars. In several States 
the Governors, in order to hasten enlistments, had added 
to this a State bounty of fifty dollars or more ; but in issuing 
his proclamation Governor Curtin announced that no bounty 
would be paid by the State. The quota of Allegheny county 
by this proclamation was fixed at fifteen companies of nine 
months' men. Immediate measures were taken throughout 
the State to hasten recruiting, and on July twenty-fifth, in 
pursuance of previous notice, an uumense mass meeting 
was held on the West Commons, in Allegheny City. At 
least fifteen thousand people were assembled, and the ut- 
most enthusiasm prevailed. 

Four stands had been erected on different portions of the 
Common for the convenience of the crowd, and at one 
o'clock the meeting was organized at the main stand, by 
the Committee of Arrangements, and the following list of 
officers announced : 

Stand No. 1 — Hon. Wm. Wilkins, president, assisted by a 
great number of vice-presidents; Robt. Finney, J. R. 
Hunter, S. Harper, E. A. Montooth, Wm. B. Negley, W. C. 
Moreland, Thos. M. Bayne, and H. E. Davis, secretaries. 

Stand No. 2. — Gen. Wm. Robinson, Jr., president, as- 
sisted by Simon Drum, John Morrison, C. T. Ihmsen, J. 
M'D. Crossan, and Thos. M'Kee, vice-presidents. 

Stand No. 3. — Thomas Bakewell, Esq., president, assisted 
by B. C. Sawyer, G. L. B. Fetterman, John Birmingham, J. 
Sampson, and B. A. Mevay, vice-presidents. 

German Stand. — G. G. Bakofen, president, assisted by N. 
Voeghtly, Francis Felix, Major D. Fickeisen, Dr. A. H. 
Gross, and A. Ho] stein, vice-presidents. 

Proceedings opened with prayer by Rev. Dr. Howard. 
Hon. P. C. Shannon then introduced Judge Wilkins, who 
read a stirring address. Gov. Curtin, who was present on 
the stand, followed with an able but brief speech, at the close 
of which a series of resolutions were read and adopted. 

[ 471 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

The resolutions set forth the duty of loyal men to rise 
to the support of the Union in its hour of peril ; the determi- 
nation of Pennsylvania never to retire from the contest 
until the rebellion was crushed; calling on the authorities 
for an energetic employment of every means in their power 
to re-establish the authority of the Constitution; that the 
gratitude of the people of the State was due to Gov. Curtin 
for his labors in support of the Government; that a sub- 
scription be raised for a $50 bounty to volunteers ; and that 
the citizens of the county be earnestly requested to call 
meetings for the encouragement of recruiting. The tenth 
resolution, provided that to raise the necessary funds for 
paying the bounty, and assisting in preparing troops for 
the field, the following committee should be appointed to 
collect and disburse : 

Messrs. Thomas M. Howe, Thos. Bakewell, James Park, 
Jr., Geo. W. Cass, Isaac Jones, B. F. Jones, Wm. K. Nimick, 
John Harper, Thos. S. Blair, P. C. Shannon, John H. 
Shoenberger, and James B, Murray. 

The adoption of the resolutions was followed by a speech 
from Hon. W. F. Johnston, the audience having already 
divided to the several stands. Hon. Wilson M'Candless, 
Judge of the U. S. Court ; Prof. S. J. Wilson, of the Western 
Theological Seminary; Rev. James Prestly, Hon. John 
Covode, T. J. Bigham, John H. Hampton, Wm. C. More- 
land, Capt. John A. Banks, of the Sixty-third Regiment; 
Hon. Robt. M 'Knight, J. R. Hunter, and others also 
addressed the meeting. 

The impulse given to recruiting by this meeting was 
quite marked. Companies for nine months and for the : 
war were immediately set on foot in both cities. On thei 
twenty-eighth an order was issued revoking the permission 
given Gov. Curtin to recruit nine months' regiments, on 
the ground that the time of service was too short to bei 
effective, and that, as a similar privilege could not be: 
extended to all the States, the discrimination would justly 
provoke complaints. The mustering officer was instructed I 
to continue mustering in nine months' men until August 
tenth, and on that date the time was extended, to permit 
regiments already formed to recruit to the regular 

[ 472 ] 



RECOEDS OF FOUR WARS 

standard, until the twenty-third inst. In the interval thus 
allowed a sufficient number of companies were organized 
in Allegheny county to fill its quota under the first call. At 
the same time the recruiting of three years' men was 
rapidly progressing. In Allegheny City an impetus was 
given to the nine months' enlistments by the organization 
of the " Clark Infantry," a company under Rev. J. B. 
Clark, a clergyman of the Second United Presbyterian 
Church, in that city. Scores of men, whose dread of the 
irreligious surroundings of the soldier had deterred them 
from enlisting, rushed to his standard, and his company 
was soon filled to overflowing. A second, third, and 
fourth — one under command of the Mayor of the city, 
Simon Drum, Esq. — were organized in a few days, and on 
the date fixed by the Government a regiment was organized, 
of which Capt. Clark was elected Colonel. Three years' 
companies were also being organized, and under the 
auspices of William M. Semple, of Allegheny, the Semple 
Infantry was organized by William H. Moody, a similar 
'' rush " resulting in the formation of four companies. 
We may here remark that no man in the community dis- 
played a more genuine spirit of liberality than Mr. Semple, 
who, in donations to the companies bearing his name and 
in other forms, expended nearly $3,000 towards the forma- 
tion and equipment of the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth 
Regiment. Edward J. Allen, well known as the author of 
the '* Oregon Trail," which appeared in the Daily Dispatch 
some years ago, also set about the organization of an 
engineer regiment, which was subsequently mustered into 
service as infantry. 

The One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment left for 
Harrisburg on the twentieth of August, and was followed 
on the succeeding day by the companies subsequently 
organized into the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth. The 
One Hundred and Thirty-ninth left September first, and 
some days after the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth followed 
it. During this period two heavy artillery companies, the 
Pittsburgh Artillery, Capt. Young, and Staunton Artillery, 
Capt. George W. Henderson, were recruited and left for 
Fort Delaware, Delaware river. A battalion for the An- 

[ 473 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

derson Troop was recruited and forwarded to Carlisle, in 
this month, by Sergeant, afterwards Major Frank B. 
Ward. Detachments were also recruited for Hampton's, 
Knap's, Daum's, and other battalions in the field. These 
regiments had been but a few days in the field when the 
rebel raid into Maryland took place, threatening the safety 
of the Pennsylvania border. Fifty thousand militia were 
instantly called out by the Governor, and in less than a 
week a far larger number had assembled at Harrisburg. 
An immense war meeting was held at the Court House on 
September sixth, and measures were adopted for a rapid 
organization of the militia. Companies were hastily organ- 
ized in Allegheny county, and on September sixteenth 
1,066 men, principally from Allegheny, left for Harrisburg. 
A regiment had been organized, of which Robert Galway 
was Colonel, James M. Cooper, Lieut.-Colonel, and A. H. 
Gross, Major. Companies continued to rush eastward 
during the ensuing week from all the western counties, 
until nearly two regiments had left Allegheny county alone. 
Fortunately their services were not required, and after a 
rapid march toward the State line and return to Harris- 
burg, the companies were dismissed. 

Permission having been given by the War Department 
to recruit a cavalry regiment and a regiment of infantry 
in Allegheny county, the "' Corcoran Regiment " was set 
on foot, as announced, for service under Gen. Corcoran. 
It proved unsuccessful, however, and the men recruited 
were subsequently added to other organizations; a com- 
pany, under Capt. Powers, joining the One Hundred and 
First Regiment, Col. Morris. The Stanton Cavalry, Col. 
Schoonmaker, was still at Camp Howe (formed for troops 
under the Third Requisition at Linden Grove). The men 
had been equipped, and were soon ready to march. A 
regiment under Col. Stockton also filled rapidly. 

On the first of August the long anticipated order for a 
draft was published. The State authorities had already 
called upon the County Commissioners for a statement of 
the number of militia in the county subject to draft, but 
on this subject no accurate record had been kept, and in 
reply the commissioners forwarded a statement compiled 

[ 474 ] 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

from the report of the County Assessors, giving the number 
of persons liable to military duty in the county as 12,359. 
Subsequently the commissioners determined to order a 
regular enrolment of the county, which was accordingly 
made. There was much discussion as to the regulations 
which should govern the enrolment, but we believe the 
State laws were followed by the assessors, who returned 
the number of militia liable to duty. 

At its session of 1861-62, Congress had passed an act 
authorizing the President to order a draft of the militia 
of the States for nine months' service. 

On the ninth of August the President issued his instruc- 
tions for the draft, as directed by Act of Congress. These 
instructions provided for places of rendezvous for drafted 
men, and the enrolment of all able-bodied citizens between 
the ages of eighteen and forty-five. A commissioner was 
to be appointed for each county, and his duties prescribed 
as follows : 

" The enrolling officers shall immediately, upon the filing 
of the enrolment lists, notify said Commissioners that said 
lists have been so filed, and the Commissioners shall there- 
upon give notice by handbills posted in each township of 
his county, of the time and place at which claims of exemp- 
tion will be received and determined by him, and shall fix 
the time of the enrolment from which the draft shall be 
made, and all persons claiming to be exempt from military 
duty, shall, before the said days fixed for the draft, make 
proof of such exemption before said Commissioner, and if 
found sufficient, his name shall be stricken from the list 
by a red line drawn through it, leaving it still legible. The 
Commissioner shall, in like manner, strike from the list the 
names of all persons now in the military service of the 
United States — all telegraph operators and contractors 
actually engaged on the 5th day of August, 1862, engineers 
of locomotives on railroads, the Vice-President of the 
United States, the officers, judicial and executive, of the 
Government of the United States, the members of the 
Houses of Congress and their respective officers. All 
custom house officers and their clerks; all post officers and 
stage drivers who are employed in the care and convey- 

[ 475 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

ance of the mails of the post offices of the United States; 
all ferrymen who are employed at any ferry on the post 
roads ; all pilots ; all mariners actually employed in the sea 
service of any citizen or merchants within the United 
States; all engineers and pilots of registered or licensed 
steamboats and steamships, and all persons exempt by the 
laws of the respective States, from military duty, on suffi- 
cient evidence, or his personal knowledge that said persons 
belong to any of the aforesaid classes, whether the exemp- 
tion is claimed by them or not. Exemption will not be 
made for disability unless it be of such prominent character 
as to render the person unfit for service for a period of 
more than thirty days, to be certified by a surgeon ap- 
pointed by the Governor in each county for that purpose. ' ' 

Under these instructions a second enrolment of the 
county was made. James L. Graham, Esq., was appointed 
Draft Commissioner, but declined the position, and, at his 
suggestion, the appointment was transferred to Wm. B. 
Negley, Esq. The deputy marshals appointed were the 
assessors of the several precincts, who were supposed to 
be eminently qualified for the duty — a mistake, as it after- 
ward proved that one man could not perform thoroughly 
a duty so onerous — and the enrolment proceeded rapidly. 
On the twentieth it was announced that the total enrolment 
of the county was 37,099, divided as follows : 

Pittsburgh, 11,187; Allegheny, 5,709; Boroughs, 6,870; 
Townships, 13,333. 

The apportionment was thus announced: 

Pittsburgh. 

Quota 3,277 

Credit 2,016 



Allegheny. 


Boroughs. 


Townships. 


1,609 


1,941 


3,766 


1,354 


1,752 


3,236 



Deficiency 1,261 255 189 530 



The total number of men reported as having enlisted in 
Pennsylvania organizations was 8,392, to be taken from a 
quota of 10,593, leaving a deficiency of 2,201. Five hun- 
dred and fifty-eight were reported as having enlisted in 
regiments not belonging to the State, and were therefore 
not credited on the quota. 

[ 476 ] 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

The appointment of a Draft Commissioner was followed 
by the appointment of a surgeon, Dr. A. C. Murdoch, to 
examine applicants for exemption on the ground of physi- 
cal inability to bear arms. A room was assigned him in 
the Court House, and for several weeks his labors were 
most arduous. Private examinations were made in Dr. 
Murdoch's office, both before and after his office hours at 
the Court House, frequently protracting his labors far 
into the night. For the examinations in his private office 
fees were charged, giving rise to a great deal of dissatis- 
faction in the community and suspicions of unfair dealing. 
None of the rumors were substantiated by direct charges 
or a legal investigation. 

The labor of preparing for the draft, making the neces- 
sary calculations, etc., was so heavy that the clerks in the 
Draft Commissioner's office were kept busy night and day. 
The date fixed for drafting was twice postponed, once to 
September first, and again to Thursday, October sixteenth ; 
the Governor, on the last occasion, announcing that the 
delay was occasioned by the difficulty of properly deciding 
the claims for exemption presented by Philadelphia and 
other cities. In Allegheny county great dissatisfaction was 
expressed in many districts at the defective returns of the 
deputy marshals, and permission was given to amend these 
returns up to September first. After that date the com- 
missioner refused to receive any additional returns, save 
those of " new enlistments," i. e., those enlisted subse- 
quent to the returns of the marshals. These additions 
required the certificate of the mustering officer that the 
parties were actually mustered into service. 

A meeting held in the Third Ward, subsequent to the date 
fixed by the commissioner, resulted in a return from the 
ward, by '' block committees," of some three hundred 
names in addition to those reported by the deputies. These 
names the commissioner declined receiving, and the matter 
was referred to the Governor, who placed the decision 
entirely at the discretion of the commissioner. Mr. Negley 
accordingly revised the returns, and accepted one hundred 
and thirty-two names. In other wards a large number of 
enlistments were found to have escaped the deputy mar- 

[ 477 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

shals, but it did not become necessary to present them. 
The deficiency reported from the first returns of the 
marshals was gradually reduced by the amended returns, 
until, on Monday, October thirteenth, the announcement 
was made that no draft would be required in Allegheny 
county. 

And so the men went to the war, fought and died; some 
returned and there was much rejoicing, but in all this there 
is no word of the part the women played. The women who 
stood by and saw their husbands and fathers and brothers 
and sons all go, and then waited and waited for their return 
and rejoiced or else never rejoiced. Almost at the very 
beginning of the war the women of Pittsburgh began active 
work for their soldiers. This started by their preparing 
a lunch for a regiment that was going through. It was 
immediately seen by Mr. James Park, Jr., and Hon. Thomas 
M. Howe that this could be organized, and made into regu- 
lar work for the women, under an executive committee of 
men, bound to accomplish great good. A meeting was held 
at the City Hall and the following committee appointed: 
Thomas M. Howe, chairman; B. F. Jones, George Wyman, 
William Thaw, and John Scott. The name of the organiza- 
tion was the ' ' Pittsburgh Subsistence Committee, ' ' and the 
regular duty of the committee was to attend to the sub- 
sisting of such companies as were formed until they were 
regularly mustered into the United States service. These 
first meals were given in the old Leech warehouse, on the 
corner of Penn and Wayne streets, supplied with enough 
tables to accommodate a regiment at a time. The work of 
the committee was done by the ladies and gentlemen of the 
town, who labored unceasingly from that day until the close 
of the war. By March first, 1865, they had received 
$61,580.60 and had disbursed $54,334.40, and in addition, 
numberless garments, immense stores of bedding, and all 
the delicacies that could possibly be procured were sent to 
the army camp. Every squad, company, and regiment that 
came through Pittsburgh was entertained by these inde- 
fatigable women, either at the old Leech warehouse or later 
at the City Hall, during practically the whole four years of 

[ 478 ] 






SUBSISTENCE COMMITTEE AND PART OF CITY HALL WHERE 
UPWARDS OF FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND SOLDIERS WERE 
FURNISHED A MEAL EACH DURING THE CIVIL WAR. 
A THOUSAND COULD BE ACCOMMODATED AT ONE TIME. 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

the war. Many of the women of to-day, remembering back, 
marvel that they could endure the work of those days. 
Coffee, meat, and bread for as many as five thousand men 
in a night was not unusual, and yet the part of the women 
in war is the part that is never written. Perhaps because 
it is too sorrowful 

The need of immediate money was the cry throughout 
the land. Money must be had to keep the men clothed and 
from starving. In March, 1864, it was decided by the 
Executive Committee of the Subsistence Committee and the 
ladies to give an immense fair, hoping in this way to lay 
their hands on actual cash. This fair was opened about 
the first of June. Everything was for sale, and all sorts 
of contests were resorted to, and in the end there was 
realized a total sum from all sources of $363,570.09. This 
was indeed an immense sum to be gathered at this time 
from this part of the country, considering the heavy taxes, 
the fact that the poor men had been drafted and that the 
rich men had paid liberal bounties, in fact that every man, 
woman, and child had practically contributed to their utter- 
most. Claim is made for Allegheny county that she con- 
tributed twenty thousand men to the war wherein a million 
died either in action or in the hospitals or prisons. The 
Pittsburgh Arsenal, under Col. Symington, furnished vast 
stores of small ordnance, and the town responded with joy 
or grief as the news came from the battles. She buried 
some of her best sons, but there was no cessation in the 
many and various branches of work that was being done to 
help weld the Union, and when the news finally came of 
Lee's surrender at Appomattox the press of the city seems 
to have exhausted its adjectives, and the town blazed with 
light, and the men and women flocked into the streets, show- 
ing their joy, but that great outburst was scarcely finished 
until its awful reverse convulsed their hearts, for Lincoln, 
the one man in whose sagacity and careful comprehension 
the whole terrible situation seemed to lie, had been assassi- 
nated, and there could only follow some catastrophe, and 
the result was the wretched reconstruction period. 

The Pittsburgh branch of the Philadelphia Christian 
Commission had also done incalculable good throughout the 

[ 479 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

war. It is estimated that by July first, 1865, this branch 
had distributed $159,361.70 and three times that amount in 
supplies. Owing to this organization on the tenth of July, 
1865, the new Soldiers' Home, on Liberty street, was 
opened, and there were immediately forty-one orphans 
placed therein. The care of the soldiers' orphans later, 
however, came to be the particular care of the State. 

Then came the long, long years without war, when the 
younger generation wondered what war really was and if 
it was possible that it could happen again; then, after 
much noise in Congress, the war with Spain was finally 
declared. Immediately upon this declaration, the Four- 
teenth Regiment, which had been organized in 1869, moved 
to Mt. Gretna, where the troops mobilized, and about nine- 
tenths of the members volunteered and were mustered into 
the United States Volunteers. They were later ordered to 
Fort Mott, Philadelphia, Companies E and F being as- 
signed duty at Fort Delaware. Companies I and K were 
afterward stationed at Fort Delaware, while E and F were 
returned to Fort Mott. On September third, 1898, the com- 
mand was moved to Camp Meade, where it became a part 
of the Second Army Corps, having been connected with the 
department of the east during the duty at Fort Mott and 
Fort Delaware. On November sixteenth the entire regi- 
ment was ordered to Somerville, S. C, where it remained 
until February twenty-eighth, 1899, when it was mustered 
out by order of the War Department. 

All then remaining of the organization was the handful 
of officers still commissioned in the Guard. During April, 
1899, the regiment was reorganized for the State service 
of Pennsylvania, and in August, when the famous ' ' Fight- 
ing Tenth " returned from Manila, the Fourteenth acted 
as an escore in the memorable parade, and Col. Glenn, 
being the senior officer, was honored by being offered the 
right of line in the city. Two weeks later, under com- 
mand of Col. Glenn, three companies from the Fourteenth, 
four of the Eighteenth, and one of the Seventeenth were 
ordered to attend the funeral of Colonel Hawkins at Wash- 
ington, Pa. 

On September sixth, 1899, Col. Glenn's commission ex- 

[ 480 ] 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS 

pired, and he was succeeded by Maj. William E. Thompson. 
LHiring October, 1902, the regiment was ordered to Mahanoy 
City, where it was on duty twenty-three days, maintaining 
order during the coal strike in Schuylkill county. This 
regiment has for its principal armory the upper floor of the 
old City Hall, Diamond Square, Pittsburgh. These quar- 
ters have recently been neatly remodeled, but are, never- 
theless, too limited in space to properly accommodate so 
large a body of men. The official roster is as follows : 

Field and Staff Colonel, W. E. Thompson; lieutenant- 
colonel, John H. Corbett; major, William S. McKee; major, 
Franklin Blackstone; major surgeon, George L. Hays; cap- 
tain and adjutant. Ralph E. Flinn; captain and quarter- 
master, Murray G. Livingston; captain and commissary, 
William J. Sheehan ; captain and inspector of rifle practice, 
George B. Shields ; second lieutenant and assistant surgeon, 
AVilliam S. Foster; first lieutenant and assistant surgeon, 
Robert L. Walker, Jr.; lieutenant and battalion adjutant, 
Oliver 0. Mechlin ; lieutenant and battalion adjutant, Alex- 
ander D. Guy. 

Non-commissioned Staff — Sergeant major. Curt F. Leid- 
enroth; battalion sergeant major, Norman McC. Sterrett; 
battalion sergeant major, Arthur Holman; quartermaster 
sergeant, William G. Ramsey; commissary sergeant, Wil- 
liam E. Satler; chief musician, Vincent D. Nirella; second 
color sergeant, Charles W. Campbell; first color sergeant, 
Ross H. Corbett; hospital steward, Walter A. Monnik. 
Captains — Company A, A. V, Crookston ; Company B, 
Thomas B. Easton; Company D, Lewis M. Baker; Company 
E, Charles C. McGovern; Company F, Harry W. Studt; 
Company G, Joseph A. Rising; Company H, Hugo Leiden- 
roth ; Company I, Howard B. Oursler. 

Battery B has its armory at Everett street, near Larimer 
avenue. This important part of Pittsburgh's soldiery was 
organized May 22, 1884, its first commander being Alfred 
E. Hunt, who died in 1899 from the effects of the campaign 
through the malarial district of Porto Rico. William T. 
Wallace succeeded him in command of the battery, and in 
February, 1902, Capt. William T. Rees was elected to the 
position. 

31 [ 481 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

During the Spanish-American war this organization 
served in Porto Rico and made a creditable record. Their 
presence has been valuable at riots in this section, and they 
have taken part in a number of Presidential inaugurations. 
The present Staff of Battery B is : 

Captain, William T. Rees ; first lieutenant, senior, J. Mil- 
ton Ryall ; first lieutenant, junior, Clinton T. Bundy ; second 
lieutenant, Charles C. William; first lieutenant, and assist- 
ant surgeon, Harry P. Burns ; second lieutenant and quar- 
termaster, John S. Purucker. 

Non-commissioned Staff — First sergeant, James A. 
Gormley; quartermaster sergeant, J. Lavaille Stewart; 
stable and veterinary sergeant, Anthony J. Leffler. 

Goldwin Smith says '' too much space is given to war. 
Too much space, perhaps, is given to war in all histories. 
AVar is still, unhappily, of all themes the most interesting. ' ' 
And so the record of Pittsburgh in four wars has been par- 
tially, not entirely, given. It has been impossible to write a 
complete record, because the people who lived were acting, 
not taking notes for posterity, and because it is always 
hard to write a war record from the proper angle for a 
local history. It is merely the pouring in of the money and 
the men that counts, and then, in the end all the wealth that 
has been poured in has not served to make a complete 
record of the courage, bravery and patriotism of the men 
of Allegheny county. 



[ 482 ] 



THE NEWSPAPERS 



THE NEWSPAPERS 



The newspapers are the nerves of a city. There is 
nothing so important in civic life, after the citizens, as 
the newspapers. They mean more than the preachers. 
Their tone tells more than the schools themselves. They 
are, in fact, a matter of first importance. 

The Pittsburgh Gazette. 

It is not permitted to men to penetrate the future, else 
the venture of John Scull in establishing the Pittsburgh 
Gazette would not have been the hazard of fortune it was. 
But being allowed to know only existing conditions, he 
proved himself a man of fine perception and courage when 
his venture succeeded. Bom of Quaker parentage, he came 
to Pittsburgh when he was about twenty-one, and issued, in 
partnership with Joseph Hall (quite likely a printer by 
trade), the first number of the first newspaper west of the 
Allegheny mountains, on the twenty-ninth day of July, 
1786. 

The town into which John Scull came contained a fort, 
garrisoned by scarcely more than a corporal's guard, and 
enough houses to shelter, perhaps, four hundred people, 
who labored not only under the strain that followed the 
Revolution, and was felt throughout the country until the 
last State ratified the Constitution, but also with the diffi- 
culties of an outpost of civilization, subject to the attack of 
savages. The printing office opened on Water street, near 

[ 483 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

the ferry, and was furnished with a Ramage hand-press, 
hauled by wagon from Philadelphia. This press was so 
small that it was necessary to strike the paper off in sec- 
tions, eight pulls being required to print four pages. Often 
and for many years the question of paper taxed the in- 
genuity of the young editors. They were compelled on one 
occasion, in 1788, to strike off some on writing paper, be- 
cause " waggons " from the east were detained owing to 
the badness of the roads. On Monday, July first, 1792, Mr. 
Scull sent to Major Isaac Craig, Commandant of the fort, 
and accordingly in charge of the public stores, this appeal : 

" Deae Sir: John Wright's pack horses, by whom I 
receive my paper from Chambersburg, have returned with- 
out bringing me any, owing to none being furnished. As I 
am entirely out, and do not know what to do, I take the 
liberty of applying to you for some you have in the public 
stores (and of which I have had some), as a loan or as an 
exchange for the kind herewith inclosed, and as this kind is 
smaller I will make an allowance, but if you could wait two 
or three weeks I will return you paper of superior quality 
for any purpose, as I have sent to Philadelphia by Mr. 
Brackenridge for a large quantity, and John Wright's pack 
horses return immediately to Chambersburgh and will 
bring me up some. As I conceive you will not want the 
paper as soon as I can replace it, I flatter myself you will 
let me have three reams and as soon as I receive mine it 
shall be returned, but if you choose to take the inclosed in 
exchange, it shall be immediately sent you. If you can 
oblige me with the paper it will do at any time this day, 
and I shall consider myself under a very particular obliga- 
tion. 

' * I am, dear sir, your most obedient servant, 

" John Scull." 

Major Craig noted, on the seventeenth of September. 
1800: 

''Lent John Scull twentv-seven guires of cartridge 
paper." 

[ 484 ] 



THE NEWSPAPERS 

It is unwise, however, from this paper's borrowings to 
deduce an estimate of the circulation of the little sheet. 
For despite the complaint of the editor, a year after the 
launching of his enterprise, that he had not received the 
financial support he felt his due, the paper was highly 
valued by the people and regarded as a matter of pride. 
Judge H. H. Brackenridge contributed many a long, ardent 
and able article on local matters. 

John Scull was a steadfast Federalist, and his unvarying 
and undiminished support was always given to that party. 
He, of course, advocated the first election of George Wash- 
ington as President of the new Republic, therefore, this 
paper has participated in the election of every President of 
the United States. Throughout the V/hiskey Insurrection, 
John Scull held his paper unswervingly with the govern- 
ment, when the local faction was strong enough to place him 
under arrest for his position; no harm came to him, how- 
ever, and he continued to support the Federalists. Mr. 
Brackenridge was a violent Anti-Federalist, however, until 
1800, Mr. Scull had impartially permitted him to use the 
columns of the Gazette, but in that year impartiality seemed 
disloyalty, and Judge Brackenridge, with John D. Israel 
(his publisher and nominal editor), set up an opposition 
paper. The Tree of Liberty, wherein the judge could, unre- 
stricted, promulgate his political opinions. 

The distributing of the Gazette was undoubtedly the 
greatest trouble that beset the young editor and publisher. 
There was no established system of carriage during the 
early years of the Gazette, but this problem was solved 
graduallj' with the question of expeditious transportation 
throughout the country. 

John Scull continued to edit the Gazette until 1818, when 
he retired in favor of his son, John I. Scull, and Morgan 
Neville. It is difficult to estimate the service these men 
performed for the community, but it can scarcely be over- 
estimated. Enlarging the views of an isolated community, 
and bringing them into touch, even slightly, with the move- 
ment of the world, is an incalculable benefit. The early 
Gazette contained little local news, and many uninteresting 
official and judicial notices that mainly *' filled " the paper, 

[ 485 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

but there was news from Washington and European news. 
The wonderful doings of Napoleon, two months late, but the 
great shuttle " Report " included the little frontier town 
in the intimate web of its weaving, when John Scull first 
printing the Gazette, 

From May nineteenth, 1818, to July 24, 1820, J. I. Scull 
and Morgan Neville published the paper, the office being on 
Fourth street, between Market and Wood. The publication 
days were Tuesday and Friday, until Thursday, March sec- 
ond, 1820, when the paper was again issued weekly on 
Thursday, until April tenth, 1820, when the publication day 
was changed to Monday. Thursday, March twenty-third, 
1820, the partnership between J. I. Scull and Morgan 
Neville was dissolved. Mr. Scull was then living so far 
away from the city that he could not give the paper proper 
attention. They were succeeded by Eichbaum and Johnson, 
who were practical printers. Mr. Neville remained as editor. 
Eichbaum and Johnson, in the following June, enlarged the 
paper to twenty columns, a sheet measuring twenty-two by 
twenty-four inches, and the title of the paper was changed 
to The Pittsburgh Gazette and Manufacturer and Mercantile 
Advertiser. It continued to be published every Monday at 
three dollars per year; Mr. Neville still remained as editor, 
and the office was removed to Second street, between Wood 
and Market. 

David and William McLean purchased and conducted the 
paper from 1822 to September eighteenth, 1829, when it 
came into the hands of Neville B. Craig. He moved the 
office to Fourth street, between Market and Wood, and 
retained only the secondary title of the paper, and enlarged 
it to twenty-four columns. On July thirtieth, 1833, Mr. 
Craig issued the first number of the Daily Pittsburgh 
Gazette. Two years later Mr. Mathew M. Grant was ad- 
mitted as a partner; the firm name became Craig and 
Grant, and the paper was enlarged to twenty-four columns 
and published at six dollars per year. On the first of July, 
1840, Craig and Grant sold the paper to Alexander In- 
graham, Jr., Mr. Craig continuing as editor. In 1841, D. 
N. White purchased the paper from Mr. Ingraham, and 
changed the time of issue from afternoon to morning. In 

[ 486 ] 



THE NEWSPAPERS 

the Spring of 1845, Mr, White secured the co-operation of 
Mr. B. Harris, the firm name being changed to White and 
Harris. Two years later White and Harris sold the paper 
to Erastus Brooks (afterwards of the New York Express)., 
and the firm name again changed, now to Brooks and Com- 
pany. On the first of July, 1848, Mr. White again purchased 
the paper and continued as editor and proprietor until 1859, 
when he sold to S. Riddle and Company, the new firm con- 
sisting of Samuel Riddle, Russell Errett, James M. McCrum, 
and Daniel L. Eaton. By an arrangement with the proprie- 
tors of the Commercial Journal, on the ninth of May, 1861, 
that paper was merged with the Gazette, the fact being an- 
nounced in the Gazette that '' both papers have long ad- 
vocated essentially the same political principles and have 
labored in the same cause so that their separate publication 
was not essential to any public interest, while to advertisers 
the union will be one of great advantage. ' ' 

In 1864, " The Gazette Association," was formed and 
purchased the paper from S. Riddle and Company ; and, on 
May fourteenth, 1866, it was purchased from this establish- 
ment by Penniman, Reed and Company, the firm consisting 
of Messrs. F. B. Penniman, Josiah King, N, P. Reed, and 
Thomas Houston. On November first, 1870, Mr. Penniman 
retired, and Mr. Henry M. Long was admitted and the firm 
name again changed, now to King, Reed and Company. 
On July first, 1872, Mr. Long retired and George W. Reed 
and D. L. Fleming purchased his interest. Mr. Houston 
died in 1875, and Mr. Fleming, in 1876, and their interests 
were purchased by the surviving partners. In 1882, Mr. 
King died, and his interest was purchased by the remaining 
partners, when the firm name was changed to Nelson P. 
Reed and Company, Mr. J. P. Reed being taken into the 
firm. April first, Mr. Frank W. Higgins was admitted to 
the firm; within a short time, however, he died and the 
Reeds bought his interest. In 1877 the Reeds bought the 
Commercial, which had been started in 1864 by C. D. Brig- 
ham. The consolidation again changed the title of the 
paper, which now became the Commercial-Gazette. On the 
death of Mr. Nelson P. Reed, Alfred Reed, his nephew and 
son-in-law, held the controlling interest and became editor 

[ 487 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

and manager. The first Sunday Gazette was issued Novem- 
ber tenth, 1901, and consisted of six sections, containing 
forty-four pages. On the first of June, 1900, Messrs. George 
and Henry Oliver purchased the Commercial-Gazette. 
Their ownership marked another epoch. They posted the 
town with the motto, ' ' Watch the Old Lady Grow Young. ' ' 
(The Commercial-Gazette had been referred to by her con- 
freres for some time as the '' Old Lady.") They have 
made good their statement. Later they purchased the 
Chronicle-Telegraph, and while it continues a separate ex- 
istence under its own name and management, it is one of the 
Oliver papers. Their latest acquisition is the Times, which 
they purchased May first, 1906. It has been merged with 
the Gazette, which is now issued as the Gazette-Times. 



The Pittsburgh Times. 

The Pittsburgh Times was first issued January twelfth, 
1831, as a weekly, by Mr. McKee. Subsequently, by Jaynes 
and O'Hara, publishers, with Alfred Sutton as editor. In 
1837, it became a daily, with a weekly edition, with Alex- 
ander Jaynes as editor. Its continued existence was varied. 
In 1880, Robert Nevin became editor, and it was issued as 
a daily penny paper. That same year C. L. Magee and his 
company took it over, and it was owned by him, or his 
estate, until the Oliver purchase. 

The Pittsburgh Post. 

The beginning of The Post occurred as far back as the 
year 1804, when Ephraim Pentland began the publication of 
the first Democratic paper in Western Pennsylvania, under 
the name of the Commonivealth. Thomas Jefferson, the 
great leader of Democracy, was then President, and the 
Commonivealth was an ardent supporter of his administra- 
tion. Some seven years later, James C. Gilleland commenced 
the publication of the Mercury, which shortly absorbed the 
Commonivealth. In 1824, John McFarland established the 
Allegheny Democrat, and in 1831, William B. McConway 

[ 488 J 



THE NEWSPAPERS 

launclied the American Manufacturer. In 1841, the Mer- 
cury and the Allegheny Democrat were consolidated, taking 
the title of the Mercury and Allegheny Democrat. 

In this year James P. Barr, subsequently editor and pro- 
prietor of The Post, became an apprentice to the printing 
trade, in the office of the American Manufacturer. In 1842 
the Mercury and Allegheny Democrat absorbed the Ameri- 
can Manufacturer. Bigler, Sargent & Bigler were the pro- 
prietors, who were succeeded by Lecky Harper and John 
Layton. Harper and Layton sold to Gilmore and Mont- 
gomery, who in turn sold to AVilliam H. Smith and Thomas 
Phillips. On September tenth, 1842, Smith & Phillips issued 
the initial edition of The Daily Post from the office of the 
Mercury and Manufacturer, which was situated at Fifth 
avenue and Wood street, where the First National bank now 
stands. At this time Pittsburgh had a population of about 
22,000 and Allegheny about 10,000. The Post was printed 
on a Washington hand-press, from which about 125 copies 
per hour were issued. The birthplace of The Post was the 
celebrated old landmark known as the Mansion House, 
where General Lafayette stopped during his visit to Pitts- 
burgh. It was a stately old-fashioned brick, four stories 
high, which, after being abandoned as a hotel, was trans- 
formed into a newspaper office. 

The Post remained in this building until 1870, when it 
removed to the structure then standing at Wood street and 
Virgin alley. Here it remained until 1886, when it tem- 
porarily removed across the street, while a new building 
was being erected for it. In September, of that year, the 
new building was completed and occupied. In the summer 
of 1886, The Post was incorporated as the Post Printing 
and Publishing Company, with James P. Barr as president. 
Mr. Barr had become editor and proprietor of The Post, on 
May first, 1857. In 1863 he was elected surveyor-g:eneral of 
Pennsylvania. In 1866 he entered into partnership with 
Edwin A. Myers, William A. Schoyer, and J. S. Lare. Mr. 
Myers had been associated with Mr. Barr in the job printing 
business since 1855. On September fourteenth, 1886, Mr. 
Barr died, and was succeeded by his son, Albert J. Barr. 

[ 489 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

William Schoyer retired from tlie business management on 
February first, 1890. Edwin A. Myers died November twen- 
ty-second, 1895, after forty years of faithful service on the 
paper. In the Spring of 1892, The Post removed to the 
building on Fifth avenue, between Smithfield and Wood 
streets, where it remained until early in 1904, when it was 
transferred to its present large and commodious quarters, 
at the junction of Wood street and Liberty avenue. Mean- 
while, on February fourteenth, 1897, the plant of The Post 
was visited by a destructive fire, which rendered it useless 
for three months, during which the paper was issued from 
the Leader office. Only one person is living to-day, who 
helped to get out the first issue of The Daily Post, and that 
is George M. Brisbin, now of Clearfield county. 

The Post from its inception has always been distinguished 
for its enterprise. When the telegraph line from Phila- 
delphia was completed, in 1847, it published a column of 
dispatches each morning under the heading, * ^ Received by 
Lightning, Printed by Steam." The old-fashioned hand- 
press had by this time been laid aside, and the latest im- 
provement in this and other lines installed. The Post, in 
May, 1896, was the first paper in Pennsylvania to establish 
a perfect special cable and wire service. On November 
fourth, 1896, The Post published 156,660 copies, the largest 
number issued by any Pennsylvania paper outside of Phila- 
delphia. On May first, 1898, in its Sunday edition, it was 
the only paper in the United States to publish the news of 
Dewey's great victory, in Manila bay, beating all its co- 
temporaries by twenty-four hours. 

The Post was the first Pittsburgh newspaper to run spe- 
cial trains to deliver its edition to parts of the country not 
reached by regular trains. On several occasions it has en- 
gaged special trains to collect news, notably at the time of 
the capture of the Biddle brothers, in Butler county ; and at 
the time of the Dawson wreck, on the Baltimore & Ohio. 

The Sunday Post was started in September, 1892, and 
has been from the first a great success. 

The last success of the Post is the evening edition, called 
the Sun, which was first issued March first, 1906. 

[ 490 ] 



THE NEWSPAPEES 



The Pittsburgh Dispatch, 



The Dispatch, one of Pittsburgh's representative papers, 
was established February eighth, 1846, by the late Col. 
J. H. Poster. It was the first penny paper published west 
of the mountains. It was then a small sheet, containing 
less matter than a single sheet of its present form, but 
through vigor and effort, and because it devoted its columns 
mainly to local report, it bounded at once into public favor, 
so that, within a year after its establishment, it had attained 
a large circulation. 

In 1849 the late Mr. Reece C. Fleeson bought an interest 
in the paper, and under the joint management of Col. 
Foster and himself, it was conducted with marked success, 
until the death of Mr. Fleeson, in 1863, dissolved their 
partnership, and left Col. Foster sole proprietor, until 
Daniel O'Neill and Alexander W. Rook, in February, 1865, 
bought one-half the establishment. 

The first step of the new partners on taking charge was 
to enlarge the paper, which was then half its present size. 
It was a bold move, but, contrary to the predictions of 
many of its friends, it proved a great success; and in the 
two years following, enlargements were necessitated by the 
growth of circulation and advertising patronage. 

In 1867 Col. Foster died, and his interest in the paper was 
purchased by O'Neill and Rook. The management of this 
firm strengthened the characteristics, whose full develop- 
ments have created the fame, prosperity, and influence of 
the Dispatch. 

The O'Neill and Rook partnership was broken by the 
death of Daniel 'Neill, on January thirty-first, 1877, after 
twenty-seven years of connection with the paper. Mr, A. 
W. Rook, under the articles of copartnership, purchased the 
interest of his late partner. But within the same year he 
sold an interest to Eugene M. O'Neill, the brother of the 
late publisher. Mr. Eugene M. O'Neill had previously 
been active in the editorial work, and at this time assumed 
the editorial direction, which he continued for a quarter 
of a century, and did so much toward its subsequent pro- 
gression in character and influence. A. W. Rook died Au^ 

[ 491 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBURGH 

gnst fourteenth, 1880, and at the close of that year a re- 
organization took place in the details of the management 
The firm name was changed to the Dispatch Publishing 
Company; E. M. O'Neill continued at its head. C. N. 
Shaw, managing editor ; Ormsby Phillips and E. W. Light- 
ner, associate editors, acquired interests in the firm. 
The personnel of this organization was not very lasting, as 
it was changed by the retirement of Mr. Lightner in 1883, 
the ill-health of Mr. Shaw, and the death of Mr. Phillips 
shortly after. But, while it lasted, it was forceful in the 
development and progress of the paper. It took the lead 
in discarding the old quarto form for the eight paged sheet. 
It was a pioneer in the enlargement of expenditure for 
special telegrams and news features to a degree that a few 
years earlier would have been deemed ruinous. Its inde- 
pendent tendencies attained their full development in 1882, 
when it joined the Stewart revolt against the corruption of 
the State machine, in the campaign that resulted in the first 
election of Pattison. Since that time the Dispatch has 
always disavowed the character of a party organ. It is in 
sympathy with Republican doctrines on the old war issues 
and the later principles of tariff and protection. But it 
has never recognized any duty to conceal the defects of 
'' party," and has always been at liberty to support other 
parties when their candidates or measures seemed 
preferable. 

Various changes in the executive management of the 
paper succeeded in the eighties and nineties ; but under the 
presiding control of Mr. E. M. O'Neill the character and 
success of the paper were strengthened and maintained. 

On September twenty-fourth, 1883, the first number of the 
Sunday edition of the Dispatch was issued. Before that 
the Sunday papers of Pittsburgh had been in a class by 
themselves, presenting features that tended to strengthen 
the prejudice against the publication of newspapers on that 
day. The purpose of the Dispatch was to prove that the 
Sunday newspaper could be given a high character, and by 
reason of the higher price and greater leisure of the 
readers, could furnish enlarged news features and a wider 
variety of reading matter than was possible to morning 

[ 492 ] 



THE NEWSPAPERS 

newspapers on week days. Its success in that direction 
was instantaneous. The first Sunday Dispatch was so 
clearly superior to anything Pittsburgh had ever enjoyed 
in that line that its circulation immediately exceeded former 
records. 

The Dispatch Publishing Company was organized as a 
corporation on June eleventh, 1888, Mr. E. M. O'Neill being 
president, Mr. Bakewell Phillips, treasurer, and Mr. C. A. 
Eook, secretary. Mr. 'Neill continued to direct the course 
of the paper with results that are familiar to the public 
of the present day until 1902, when, after twenty-five years 
of control and over a third of a century's work as a 
journalist, he carried out, much to the regret of his as- 
sociates, a long entertained determination to retire from 
active work, retaining an interest in the paper. Mr. C A. 
Rook acquired, by purchase, control, and assumed the 
direction of the paper as president and editor-in-chief of 
The Dispatch Publishing Company, Mr. E. M. 'Neill, vice- 
president, and Mr. F. O'Neill became treasurer. 

The Dispatch, under its present management, aims to 
continue and perfect the policy by which it has so long 
lived. 

The Pittsburgh Leader. 

The Sunday Leader was founded by John W. Pittock in 
December, 1864. This man's rise and career are one of 
the romances of journalism in Pittsburgh. He began as 
a newsboy and died the owner of an important journal, 
always gathering about him the newsboys whom he knew 
and understood so well. 

In 1870 John W. Pittock, Col. John I. Nevin, R. P. 
Nevin, and Edward H. Nevin began issuing the Evening 
Leader, on the eleventh of October, of which they were the 
proprietors. Mr. Pittock died in 1880, and in 1882 a cor- 
poration was formed under the title of '' The Leader Pub- 
lishing Company," of which Col. John I. Nevin was the 
head, until his death in 1884. He was succeeded by Theo- 
dore W. Nevin, as president, and Joseph T. Nevin, as 
secretary and treasurer, which management has continued 

[ 493 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

•until the last few months, when The Leader Publishing 
Company was purchased by the present management. 

The Leader, from its beginning, has been extremely 
independent in its character. It has backed at all times 
the man in whom it believed without regard to party. It 
has railed unceasingly at whatever it thought to be wrong, 
and has been of undoubted service to the community. The 
present circulation, perhaps, exceeds that of any other paper 
in the city. 

The Pittsburgh Chronicle. 

J. Heron Foster and W. H. Whitney took over from 
R. G. Berford, on September eighth, 1841, the paper which 
Mr. Berford had been issuing weekly since May. Mr. 
Foster and Mr. Whitney, acting as their own editors, com- 
menced a daily issuance of this paper. The firm changed 
again in 1843 to Whitney, Dumars and Wright. In 1846 
Mr. Wright disposed of his interest, one-third, to James 
Dumars for $2,000. The following year the paper changed 
hands and became the property of Whitney and Dunn. 
In 1851 another change placed the paper in the hands of 
Messrs. Barr and MacDonald. In 1854 the paper was the 
property of the Kennedy Brothers, and in 1856 Mr. Charles 
McKnight became the owner, and so continued until 1863 
when Mr. Joseph G. Siebeneck became his partner. Mr. 
McKnight, however, retired the following year, and the 
partnership of Siebeneck and Collins was formed. In 
1874 Mr. Collins retired and Mr. Siebeneck became the sole 
proprietor. 

The paper throughout its career was designed as a 
family journal, and was Republican on general principles. 

In 1884 the Chronicle was merged with the Evening 
Telegraph under the title, Chronicle-Telegraph. 

The Evening Telegraph. 

The Evening Telegraph was a sheet which came to life 
on April sixteenth, 1873. H. B. Swoope was the first presi- 
dent, John C. Harper the managing editor, with Thomas 

[ 494 ] 



THE NEWSPAPERS 

McConnell, Jr., business manager. It was also strongly 
Eepublican in its inclinations. It is rather surprising to 
find that it refused, in that early time, to admit to its 
columns advertisements of lotteries or quack medicines. 

As these two papers, the Chronicle and the Evening Tele- 
graph, covered practically the same field their affiliation 
was accomplished without the renunciation of its principles 
by either paper. 

The Chronicle-Telegraph was purchased, as already 
mentioned, by the Messrs. Oliver, but continues its indi- 
vidual existence. 

The Pittsburgh Press. 

The Pittsburgh Press (daily and Sunday), which is noted 
in Pittsburgh journalism as one of the pioneers in the one- 
cent field, now issues, as a rule, from twenty to thirty-two 
eight-column pages every evening, and sixty-four pages on 
Sunday. The Press was founded in 1883 by Col. Thomas 
M. Bayne, at that time a member of Congress from the 
Allegheny district; with him were associated John S. 
Ritenour and others. An important departure in the 
paper was its low rate for small " want " advertisements, 
particularly those coming from people in need of employ- 
ment; this greatly increased its circulation. Under Col. 
Bayne 's successors this policy of getting the paper as 
close as possible to the people's interests has been am- 
plified rather than curtailed. This management retired 
before 1890 and was succeeded by T. J. Keenan, Jr., George 
W. Wardman, and Charles W. Houston, who later dis- 
posed of their entire holdings to Oliver S. Hershman, 
formerly publisher of the Chronicle-Telegraph. The 
present organization is as follows: Oliver S. Hershman, 
president and general manager ; H. C. Milholland, business 
and advertising manager; 0. A. Williams, secretary; A. H. 
Beitch, managing editor; Frank C. Harper, writing editor. 

The Pittsburgh Bulletin. 

The Pittsburgh Bulletin was established in 1876, and lays 
claim to the distinction of being the oldest illustrated 

[ 495 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

society paper in Western Pennsylvania. Mr. Black himself 
published and edited the Bulletin for years, but when 
the paper had grown to such an extent as to make the duties 
really heavy he gave over the editorship to Mr. George 
Frederick Muller. Mr. Muller was succeeded by Mr. David 
Lowry and Mr. John Ritenour. However, in 1902, Mrs. 
H. B. Birch, who for years had been acting as the society, 
art and music editor, became managing editor. The paper 
is unique, in a way, as a society journal, which does not 
monger scandal. It has reached a circulation of seven thou- 
sand and continues to grow. 

The Pittsburgh Index. 

Pittsburgh boasts a second society chronicle, which may 
claim to be the same clean sheet for all local interest that 
the Bulletin is. Mr. Walter S. Lobingier first issued the 
small four-paged paper, February twenty-sixth, 1897. It 
flourished from the first, and at the end of about three 
years was purchased by Mr. Joseph M. Paull, and so rapid 
has been the growth of the Index that it has been necessary 
to change offices from the East End into the business section 
of the city. The Index has made a specialty of its illustra- 
tions, and is edited in a thoroughly attractive manner. 

The Pittsburgh Catholic and the Pittsburgh Observer 
are the well edited papers of the Roman Catholics. In ad- 
dition to the local, their foreign news service is very fine. 

There is a long story, of the newspapers of Pittsburgh, un- 
told. The papers that were started by some young man or 
young men full of hope, either to make fortunes or to re- 
form the world. Some of these are the papers that have 
come and gone. They have been listed chronologically, be- 
tween 1801 and 1850, by a contributor to the centennial num- 
ber of the Commercial-Gazette. This list contains, as well, 
a number of journals that have lived a long and vigorous 
life and are flourishing to-day: 

1801. The Tree of Liberty, August 4; weekly. John 
Israel, publisher. In 1805 (December), it was published by 
Walter Forward, for the proprietors. 

[ 496 ] 



THE NEWSPAPERS 

1812. The Pioneer, February; monthly. Rev. David 
Graham, editor. Printed by S. Engles & Co. 

1813. The Western Gleaner, or Repository for Arts, 
Sciences and Literature, December; monthly. 

1814. The Weekly Recorder, July 5. Originally printed 
in Chillicothe, 0., by Rev. John Andrews. Removed to 
Pittsburgh, February, 1822, and name changed to Pitts- 
burgh Recorder. January tenth, 1828, it absorbed the 
Spectator; January fifteenth, 1829, the Christian Herald, 
Rev. S. C. Jennings; 1833, Pittsburgh Christian Herald, 
Rev, J. D. Baird; 1838, the Presbyterian Advocate, Rev. 
William Annan ; November seventeenth, 1855, Presbyterian 
Banner and Advocate, Rev. D. McKinney, D. D. ; March 
tenth, 1860, changed to Presbyterian Banner. February 
third, 1864, it passed into the ownership of Rev. Dr. James 
Allison and R. Patterson. This is the oldest religious paper 
in the United States. 

1820. The Statesman. In 1826 it is spoken of in Jones' 
Directory as having passed through the hands of numerous 
owners, and as being at that date conducted by Andrews & 
Waugh, and " in a more flourishing condition than it has 
been for many years, owing to the late improvement of its 
appearance and the addition to the editorial department." 
In 1837 it was published as the Pennsylvania Advocate and 
Statesman, William D. Wilson, editor; daily, weekly and 
tri-weekly. In 1839 it was published at the corner of Wood 
and Market streets ; Robert M. Riddle, editor. 

1826. The Western Journal, November twelfth. Henry 
C. Matthews (Whig). 

1827. The Allegheny Democrat, weekly. John McFar- 
land. In 1829, by Leonard S. Johns. In 1837, Allegheny 
Democrat and Workingman's Advocate, William F. Stew- 
art, editor. In 1841, united with the Mercury. 

1828. The Hesperus. N. Ruggles Smith; a monthly lit- 
erary periodical. 

1829. The Independent Republican. August twentieth. 
Robert Fee, publisher. 

1832. The Advocate, weekly. A. W. Marks and Wilson 
(Whig). Subsequently published by George Parkin as the 
Advocate and Emporium and the Daily Advocate and Ad- 
32 [ 497 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

vertiser. Mr. Parkin sold to Judge Baird, from whom it 
was purchased by Robert M. Riddle; absorbed by Gazette. 

1833. The Western Emporium, weekly. Geo. Parkin 
(Whig). This was the first paper published in Allegheny. 

1833. The Saturday Evening Visitor, July first; weekly. 
Ephraim Lloyd, proprietor; N. R. Smith, editor. 1835, 
Lloyd & Brewster. 1836, E. Lloyd & Co. 1837, Brewster, 
Newton & Spencer. 1837, Alex. Jaynes, and Jaynes & 
Fisher. 1838, E. Burke Fisher & Co. 1839, J. W. Biddle. 
(Literary.) Absorbed by the Daily American. 
- 1833. Pittsburgh Conference Journal. Edited first by Rev. 
Charles Elliott, who was succeeded by Rev. Wm. Hunter 
and Rev. Charles Cooke. In 1841 it had been changed to 
the Christian Advocate, and has since been published under 
the auspices of the M. E. Church. 

1836. The Christian Witness, January sixteenth. Rev. 
Samuel William, editor. In 1839 edited by William H. Bur- 
leigh, weekly (anti-slavery). 

1839. The Commercial Bulletin and A'inericcm Manu- 
facturer, weekly. Phillips, McDonald, and Conway & Phil- 
lips. In 1841 it was published by Richard Phillips. In 1847, 
edited and published by Lecky Harper. 

1839. The Pittsburgher, daily. William Jack and Wil- 
liam McElroy (Democrat). 

1839. The Daily American. James W. Biddle (Whig). 
This was an afternoon paper, and was the successor of the 
Saturday Evening Visitor. 

1839. Freiheit 's Freund, German weekly. Victor Scriba, 
Allegheny. 

1839. Harris' Intelligencer, weekly. Isaac Harris, pro- 
prietor and publisher. 

1839. The Pittsburgh Entertainer, German weekly. Vic- 
tor Scriba. 

1839. The Western Recorder. This paper, which subse- 
quently became the Methodist Recorder, resulted from the 
action of the Ohio and Pittsburgh Conferences of the Meth- 
odist Protestant 3hurches in favor of a Western church 
paper, and Cornelius Springer was engaged to establish 
and conduct the paper. It was first published at Meadow 
Farm, Muskingum county, O., July, 1839, Mr. Springer 

[ 498 ] 



THE NEWSPAPERS 

being pecuniarily responsible, the Conferences pledging 
their support. In 1845, Mr. Springer chose his own suc- 
cessor, and transferred the paper to the charge of Ancel H. 
Bassett, and for ten years he conducted it, still as an in- 
dividual enterprise. In 1855 it was transferred to the 
Church, and removed to Springfield, 0. Mr. Bassett was 
succeeded as editor by Rev. Dr. George Brown, Dr. D. B. 
Dorsey, Dr. John Scott, and Dr. Alexander Clark. Dr. 
Clark died in 1859, and Dr. Scott, the present editor, suc- 
ceeded him. The name of the paper was twice changed, 
first to Western Methodist Protestant, and then in 1866, to 
Methodist Recorder. The paper was removed to Pitts- 
burgh, in 1871, the first number issued here bearing date 
November fifteenth, 1871. It is claimed that the Methodist 
Recorder should date back to 1830, the year when the 
Methodist Correspondent was established. It was a semi- 
monthly, printed at Cincinnati, and was edited by Mr. 
Springer up until the Fall of 1836, when it was discontinued. 
By reason of the break of a little less than three years 
between the discontinuance of this publication and the be- 
ginning of the Western Recorder, the starting point of the 
Methodist Recorder is 1839. 

1839. The Literary Examiner and Western Monthly Re- 
vieiu. E. Burk'Fishef. 

1839. Sibbett's Western Review and Counterfeit List. E. 
Sibbett & Co. ; monthly. 

1839. Sabbath School Assistant, monthly. Rev. William 
Hunter, editor. 

1840. The Express, daily. James and John B. Kennedy 
(Whig). This was a campaign paper. 

1841. The Literary Messenger, monthly. Alex. Mcll- 
waine and John C. Ivory, editors and proprietors. 

1841. The Missionary Advocate, monthly; by the Young 
Men's Missionary Society of the Reformed Presbyterian 
Church. 

1841. Reformed Presbyterian and Covenanter, monthly. 
Rev. John Roney, editor. 

1841. The Daily Sun. Daniel McCurdy, publisher; Russell 
Errett, editor. 

[ 499 ] 



THE HISTOKY OF PITTSBURGH 

1841. Pittsburgh Intelligencer, weekly. A. A. Anderson, 
publisher; Isaac Errett, editor. 

1841. Pittsburgh Herald and Weekly Advertiser, weekly. 
S. Greely, Curtis & Co. 

1841. The Free Press, German. B. Guenther, editor and 
proprietor. 

1842. The Preacher, Associate Reformed Presbyterian; 
semi-monthly. Rev. John T. Pressly, D. D. ; succeeded by 
Rev. David R. Kerr, D. D., in 1845. In 1848 changed to a 
weekly. In 1854 continued as the United Presbyterian, by 
Dr. Kerr. This paper absorbed the United Presbyterian 
and Evangelical Guardian, of Cincinnati, about 1858; the 
Westminster Herald, of New Wilmington, Pa., in 1868 ; the 
Presbyterian Witness, of Cincinnati, in 1870 ; the Christian 
Instructor, of Philadelphia, in 1858. Rev. Dr. Kerr and 
H. J. Murdoch are the present proprietors. 

1842. The Spirit of Liberty, a continuation of the Chris- 
tian Witness, weekly. Wm. C. Burleigh, editor; succeeded 
by Rev. Mr. Smith, and continued by Reese C. Fleeson, 
until 1845. 

1843. The Spirit of the Age, April nineteenth, by Foster, 
McMillin & Kennedy (Independent). 

1844. The Pittsburgh Catholic. The first issue is under 
date of March sixteenth, 1844. The paper was started by 
P. F. Boylan, and conducted by him until July, 1847, when 
it was purchased by the present proprietor, Jacob Porter. 
The word ' * Pittsburgh ' ' was dropped from the title some 
years ago. The paper is the organ of the Catholic Diocese 
of Pittsburgh, but is individual property. 

1844. The Mystery, by Dr. Martin R. Delaney; a paper 
devoted to the interests of the colored race and issued 
weekly. 

1845. The Daily Morning Ariel. James Duvall, publisher; 
W. C. Tobey, editor (Dem.). 

1845. The Alleghenian, weekly. James and John B. Ken- 
nedy. 

1845. The Nautilus, by E. Z. C. Judson (Ned Buntline), 
and Henry Beeler ; a monthly literary periodical, which was 
issued for about two years. 

[ 500 ] 



THE NEWSPAPERS 

1846. January, The Olden Time, monthly ; devoted to the 
Preservation of Documents, relating to the Early History 
of Pittsburgh, edited by Neville B. Craig. Twenty-four 
numbers were issued covering the years 1846-47. 

1846. The Saturday Visitor, weekly. Mrs. Jane Gray 
Swisshelm. This was a continuation of the Spirit of Lib- 
erty, and was finally absorbed as the weekly of the Com- 
mercial Journal. 

1847. The Stars and Stripes, weekly. Dr. N. W. Truxall. 
1847. The Albatross, weekly. Charles P. Shiras (anti- 
slavery). Changed to the Western World. (Literary.) 

1847. The Temperance Banner, weekly. Eobert Elder 
and Solomon Alter. 

1847. Daily Telegraph. Thomas W. Wright and William 
Charlton (Whig and anti-Masonic). About the same time 
Charles Bryant and Oscar MdClelland started the Daily 
Clipper, there being a race as to which should be out first. 
In a few months the Clipper was brought out by the Tele- 
graph, and the latter expired in about three years. 

1847. The Evening Day Book. Charles P. Shiras and 
Wm. A. Kinsloe. 

1848. The Token, monthly. Alex. B. Russell, editor and 
proprietor (Odd Fellow). 

1848. Semi-Weekly Watchman. Thomas W. Wright. 
Changed to the Daily Ledger. 

1850. Allegheny Daily Enterprise. Gamble, Irwin & Cal- 
low. 

1850. The Dollar Ledger, weekly. J. S. M. Young. In 
this same j^ear were printed The Evening Tribune and The 
Daily Express. 

1850. Daily Evening Neu)s. John Taggart, publisher (In- 
dependent). Lived about a year. 

In addition to the above we find in Harris ' Directory, for 
1837, the following publications mentioned: 

Eagle of the West (German). J. Smith, Z. McDonald and 
T. Phillips; weekly. 

The Old Indian Physician and Family Botanical Register. 
Dr. E. Warner, editor; weekly. 

Glad Tidings (Universalist). S. A. Davis and M. A. Chap- 
pell, editors ; weekly. 

[ 501 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Trades Papers. 

The trades newspapers of Pittsburgh rank the other jour- 
nals of this class in the country. This is, of course, but the 
natural outcome of the tremendous industrial life. They 
are: Amalgamated Association Journal, American Man- 
ufacturer and' Iron World, American Metal Market 
(New York), Banker, Benzinger's Magazine, Builder, 
Builders' Gazette, China, Glass and Lamps, Coal Trade 
Bulletvn, Commerce, Commoner and Glassworker, Construc- 
tion, High Tide, Inland Navigator, Insurance World, Iron 
Age, Iron Trade Review, Labor World, Liquor Dealers' 
Journal, La Trinacria, Money, Monitor, National Glass 
Budget, National Labor Tribune, National Stockman and 
Farmer, Petroleum Gazette, Pittsburgh Live Stock Journal, 
Plumbing News, Railway Age, Steel Age, Team Owners' 
Review, Trades Journal, Transportation, Pittsburgh Beo- 
bachter. 



[ 502 ] 



THE JUDICIARY 



THE JUDICIARY 



The Judiciary of Allegheny County.* 

The English system of Jurisprudence prevailed in Penn- 
sylvania during the Proprietary Government. It was 
slightly modified by the Constitution of 1776, and radically 
changed by the Constitution of 1790. To understand our 
early courts, we must have some knowledge of the Pro- 
vincial system. 

The Act of twenty-second May, 1722, which continued in 
force, with slight amendments and some interruptions, until 
after the Revolution, established and regulated the courts. 
Each county had a court of " General Quarter Sessions of 
the Peace and Gaol Delivery," for criminal offenses, and a 
court of *' Common Pleas," for the trial of civil causes, 
each court required to hold four terms in the year. The 
Governor was authorized to appoint and commission " a 
competent number of Justices of the Peace " for each 
county; and they, or any three of them, could hold the 
Court of Quarter Sessions. He was also authorized to 
appoint and commission " a competent number of persons " 
to hold the Common Pleas. At first, the same persons were 
appointed and commissioned for both courts. But the Act 
of ninth September, 1759, prohibited the justices of the 
Quarter Sessions from holding commissions as judges of 
the Common Pleas. That Act required ' ' five persons of the 

* A partial adaptation of Judge J. W. F. White's pamphlet. 

[ 503 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

best discretion, capacity, judgment and integrity " to be 
commissioned for the Common Pleas, any three of whom 
could hold the court. These justices and judges were ap- 
pointed for life or during good behavior. The Constitu- 
tion of 1776 limited them to a term of seven years, but the 
Constitution of 1790 restored the old rule of appointment 
for life or good behavior. 

The Orphans' Court was established by Act of twenty- 
ninth March, 1713, to be held by the justices of the Quarter 
Sessions. But the Act of 1759 changed this, and made the 
judges of the Common Pleas the judges of the Orphans' 
Court. 

The Act of 1722 established a Supreme Court of three 
judges, afterguards increased to four, who reviewed, on 
writs of error, the proceedings in the county courts, and 
were also judges of the Court of Oyer and Terminer, for 
the trial of all capital felonies, for which purpose they 
visited each county twice a year. The Act of thirty-first 
May, 1718, made the following offenses punishable with 
death : Treason, misprision of treason, murder, manslaugh- 
ter, sodomy, rape, robbery, mayhem, arson, burglary, witch- 
craft, and concealing the birth of a bastard child. 

All this region of the State was then in Cumberland 
county. 

Bedford county was erected by Act of ninth March, 1771, 
and all west of the mountains was included in it. Our courts 
were then held at Bedford. The first court held there was 
April sixteenth, 1771. The scattered settlers of the West 
were represented by George Wilson, Wm. Crawford, 
Thomas Gist, and Dorsey Pentecost, who were justices of 
the peace and judges of the court. The court divided the 
county into townships. Pitt Township (including Pitts- 
burgh) embraced the greater part of the present county of 
Allegheny, and portions of Beaver, Washington, and West- 
moreland, and had fifty-two land-owners, twenty tenants, 
and thirteen single freemen. 

Westmoreland county was formed out of Bedford by Act 
of twenty-six February, 1773, and embraced all of the prov- 
ince west of the mountains. The act directed the courts to 
be held at the house of Robert Hanna, until a court house 

[ 504 ] 



THE JUDICIARY 

should be built. Robert Hanna lived in a log house about 
three miles northeast of where Greensburgh now stands. 

Five trustees were named in tlie act to locate the 
county seat and erect the public buildings. Robert 
Hanna and Joseph Erwin were two of them; Hanna 
rented his house to Erwin to be kept as a tavern, and got 
the majority of the trustees to recommend his place — 
where a few other cabins were speedily erected, and the 
place named Hannastown — for the county seat. Gen. 
Arthur St. Clair and a minority of the trustees recom- 
mended Pittsburgh. This difference of opinion, and the 
unsettled condition of affairs during the Revolution, de- 
layed the matter, until 1787, when the county seat was fixed 
at Greensburg. In 1775, Hannastown had twenty-five or 
thirty cabins, having about as many houses and inliabitants 
as Pittsburgh. Now its site is scarcely known. The town 
was burnt by the Indians in July, 1782, but the house of 
Hanna, being adjacent to the fort, escaped, and the courts 
continued to be held at his house until October, 1786; the 
first at Greensburg was in January, 1787. 

As there was no court house at Hannastown, the courts 
were always held in the house of Robert Hanna. Parties, 
jurors, witnesses, and lawyers were crowded together in a 
small room, nearly all standing. The judges occupied com- 
mon hickory chairs raised on a clapboard bench at one side. 

During the Revolutionary War, the courts met regularly, 
but little business was transacted, and the laws were 
not rigidly enforced. At the October sessions, 1781, only 
one constable attended, and he was from Pittsburgh. 

During all the time the courts were held at Hannastown, 
Pittsburgh was in Westmoreland county. The first court 
was held April sixth, 1773. William Crawford was the first 
presiding justice. 

The first courts held in Pittsburgh were Virginia courts, 
administering the laws of Virginia. They were held under 
authority of Lord Dunmore, Governor of Virginia. The 
first court was held February twenty-first, 1775. The jus- 
tices of the peace of Augusta county, who held this court, 
were Geo. Croghan, John Campbell, John Connolly, Dorsey 
Pentecost, Thomas Smallman, and John Gibson. John Gib- 

[ 505 ] 



THE HISTORY OP PITTSBURGH 

son was an uncle of Chief Justice Gibson. The court con- 
tinued in session four days, and then adjourned to Staunton, 
Va. Courts were also held in May and September of that 
year. Connolly attended the court in May, but soon after 
that the Revolutionary War broke out, when he and Lord 
Dunmore fled to the British camp never to return. 

The regular Virginia courts continued to be held at Pitts- 
burgh, for West Augusta county, as it was then called, until 
November thirtieth, 1776. The territory was then divided 
into three counties called Ohio, Yohogania, and Monongalia. 
Pittsburgh was in Yohogania county, which embraced the 
greater portions of the present counties of Allegheny and 
Washington. The courts of this county were held regularly 
until the twenty-eighth of August, 1780. They were some- 
times held in Pittsburgh, sometimes in or near the present 
town of Washington, but the greater portion of the time on 
the farm of Andrew Heath, on the Monongahela river, near 
the present line between Allegheny and Washington county, 
where a log court house and jail were erected. 

Washington county was erected by Act of twenty-eighth 
March, 1781. It embraced all that part of the State lying 
west of the Monongahela and south of the Ohio. But Pitts- 
burgh remained in Westmoreland county. Fayette county 
was formed February seventeenth, 1784. 

Allegheny county was established by Act of twenty-fourth 
September, 1788. It embraced portions of Westmoreland 
and Washington counties, and all the territory north of the 
Ohio and west of the Allegheny, from which were after- 
wards formed the counties of Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, 
Crawford, Erie, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, and Warren, 
and parts of Indiana and Clarion. 

The Act appointed trustees to select lots in the reserved 
tract, opposite to Pittsburgh, on which to erect a court 
house. But that was changed by the Act of thirteenth 
April, 1791, which directed the public buildings to be erected 
in Pittsburgh. 

The first court — Quarter Sessions — was held sixteenth 
December, 1788, by George Wallace, president, and Joseph 
Scott, John Wilkins, and John Johnson, associates. A let- 
ter was read from Mr. Bradford, Attorney-General, ap- 

[ 506 ] 



THE JUDICIARY 

pointing Robert Galbraith, Esq., his deputy, who was sworn 
in ; and on his motion the following persons were admitted 
as members of the bar, viz : Hugh H. Brackenridge, John 
Woods, James Ross, George Thompson, Alexander Addi- 
son, Daniel Bradford, James Carson, David St. Clair, and 
Michael Huffnagle, Esqs. 

The first term of the Common Pleas was held fourteenth 
March, 1789. The Appearance Docket contained fifty-six 
cases. The brief minute says the court was held *' before 
George Wallace and his Associates," without naming them. 
The same minute is made for the June and September 
Terms of that year. After that no name is given. The old 
minutes of the court and other records and papers of the 
early courts were in an upper room of the court house, and 
were destroyed in the fire of May, 1882. 

The Constitution of September second, 1790, and the Act 
of Assembly following it, April thirteenth, 1791, made 
radical changes in the judicial system of the State. Justices 
of the peace were no longer judges of the courts. The State 
was divided into Circuits or Judicial Districts, composed of 
not less than three nor more than six counties. A president- 
judge was appointed by the Governor for each district, and 
associate judges, not less than three nor more than four, 
for each county. The associate judges could hold the Quar- 
ter Sessions and Common Pleas. All judges were com- 
missioned for life or during good behavior. The Constitu- 
tion did not require any of the judges to be '' learned in 
the law," but, no doubt, it was understood that the judges 
of the Supreme Court, and the president judges of the 
districts, were to be experienced lawyers. By Act of twenty- 
fourth February, 1806, the associate judges of each county 
were reduced to two. 

The State was divided into five circuits or districts. The 
counties of Westmoreland, Fayette, Washington, and Alle- 
gheny, composed the fifth district. The new judicial system 
went into operation September first, 1791. 

The first judges commissioned for Allegheny county, their 
commissions bearing date October ninth, 1788, were George 
Wallace, president, and John Metzgar, Michael Hillman, 
and Robert Ritchie, associates. They were the judges until 
the re-organization under the Constitution of 1790. 

[ 507 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

George Wallace was not a lawyer, but had been a justice 
of the peace since 1784, and was a man of good education. 
He owned the tract of land known as " Braddock's Fields," 
where he lived in comfortable circumstances, and where he 
died. 

Upon the re-organization of the courts under the Consti- 
tution of 1790, Alexander Addison was appointed president- 
judge of the fifth district, his commission bearing date 
August seventeenth, 1791. His associates for Allegheny- 
county, commissioned the same day, were George Wallace, 
John Wilkins, Jr., John McDowell, and John Gibson, 

The borough of Pittsburgh was incorporated as a city, by 
Act of eighteenth March, 1816. The Act created a Mayor's 
Court, composed of the mayor, a recorder, and twelve ald- 
ermen. The recorder and aldermen were appointed by the 
Governor during good behavior, and the mayor to be elected 
annually by the city councils from the aldermen. The 
Mayor's Court had jurisdiction to try forgeries, perjuries, 
larcenies, assaults and batteries, riots, routs, and unlawful 
assemblies, and generally all offenses committed in the city, 
cognizable in a Court of Quarter Sessions ; besides all viola- 
tions of city ordinances. 

The causes were regularly tried before a jury. The 
mayor presided in the court, but the recorder was the law 
judge or legal officer of the court. The mayor or recorder 
and any three of the aldermen could hold court. The re- 
corder was also vested with civil jurisdiction, the same as 
the aldermen. He was to receive a salary to be paid by the 
city. 

Charles Wilkins, son of Gen. John Wilkins, was the first 
recorder. He was admitted to the bar in 1807, appointed 
recorder in 1816, and died in 1818, Charles Shaler was 
recorder from 1818 to 1821. He was succeeded by Ephraim 
Pentland, who was prothonotary of the county from 1807 
to 1821. Pentland came to Pittsburgh in 1801 or 1802; he 
had been a printer and editor; he was a short, heavy-set 
man, very fond of jokes and a noted character. He died in 
1839. He was succeeded by H. H. Van Amringe, who was 
admitted to the bar in 1837, and appointed recorder in 1839. 
He held the office only a few months, for the Mayor's Court 

[ 508 ] 



THE JUDICIARY 

was abolished by Act of twelfth June, 1839. Van Amringe 
came here from Chester county. He was an excellent law- 
yer, and courteous gentleman, but erratic in his religious 
notions. 

List of Judges. 

Judges of the Common Pleas, Quarter Sessions, and Or- 
phans' Court, Prior to the Constitution of 1790. 

When appointed: 

1788, Oct. 9. Geo. Wallace, president. 
1788, Oct. 9. John Metzgar, associate. 
1788, Oct. 9. Michael Hillman, associate. 
1788, Oct. 9. Robert Ritchie, associate. 

These were the judges until August seventeenth, 1791, 
when the courts were reorganized under the Constitution 
of 1790. 

The following were the justices of the peace, entitled to 
sit in the Quarter Sessions, but not in the Common Pleas, or 
Orphans' Court: 
When appointed: 
1788, Sept. 26. James Bryson. 
1788, Sept. 27. Samuel Jones. 
1788, Nov. 21. John Johnson. 
1788, Nov. 21. Abraham Kirkpatrick. 
1788, Nov. 21. Richard Butler. 
1788, Nov. 21. William Tilton. 

1788, Nov. 25. John Wilkins, father of John, Jr., and 

William. 

1789, May 21. Henry Nesby. 

Associate Judges, under the Constitution of 1790. 

Laymen appointed during good behavior, until 1851, and 
then elected for a term of five years. 
When appointed: 

1791, Aug. 17. Geo. Wallace. Resigned in 1798, and re- 
appointed. 
1791, Aug. 17. John Wilkins, Jr. Resigned Feb. 26, 1796. 
1791, Aug. 17. John McDowell. Died in 1812. 
1791, Aug. 17. John Gibson. Died in 1800. 

[ 509 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

When appointed: 

1796, Feb. 26. Geo. Thompson. In place of John Wil- 
kins, Jr. 

1800, July 17. John B. C. Lucas. In place of Gen. John 
Gibson. 

1812, July 24. Francis McClure. Resigned Dec. 22, 1838. 

1814, June 3. Geo. Robinson. Died in 1818. 

1818, Sept. 2. James Riddle. Resigned Dec. 25, 1838. 

1838, Dec. 27. William Hays. Resigned April 11, 1840. 

1838, Dec. 31. Hugh Davis. Resigned in 1840. 

1840, Mar. 20. Wm. Porter. Commission annulled by de- 
cision of Supreme Court, and reap- 
pointed Feb. 17, 1843. 

1840, April 16. John M. Snowden. Recommissioned March 
31, 1841. 

1845, April 9. John Anderson, Declined. 

1845, April 17. Wm. G. Hawkins. Declined. 

1845, May 8. Wm. Kerr. Recommissioned March 14, 
1846. 

1848, Feb. 28. Samuel Jones. Resigned May 12, 1851. 

1851, Mar. 18. Wm. Boggs. Recommissioned Nov. 10, 
1851. 

1851, June 10. Thomas L. McMillan. Recommissioned 

Nov. 10, 1851. Died 1852. 

1852, April 27. Patrick McKenna. Until Dec. 1, 1852. 
1852, Nov. 29. Gabriel Adams. Commissioned for five 

years. 
Nov. 12. John E. Parke. Commissioned for five 

years. 
Nov. 17. Gabriel Adams. Commissioned for five 



1856 

1857 
1861 



years. 
Nov. 13. John Brown. Commissioned for five years. 
John Brown was the last layman commissioned as judge. 
The law was changed, requiring two associate law judges to 
be elected. 

President-Judges op the Common Pleas, etc. 

Appointed by the Governor, during good behavior, until 
after the Constitutional Amendment of 1850; then elected 
for a term of ten years. 

[ 510 ] 



THE JUDICIARY 

When appointed: 

1791, Aug. 17. Alexander Addison. Impeached and re- 
moved 1803. 

1803, April 30. Samuel Roberts. Died Dec. 13, 1820. 

1820, Dec. 18. William Wilkins. Resigned May 25, 1824. 

1824, June 5. Charles Shaler. Resigned May 4, 1835. 

1835, May 15. Trevanion B. Dallas. Resigned June 24, 
1839. 

1839, July 1. Benjamin Patton, Jr. Resigned in 1850. 

1850, Jan. 31. Wm. B. McClure. Elected in 1851, and 
commissioned for ten years. Re-elected 
in 1861, and commissioned for ten years. 
Died in 1861. 

1862, Jan. 4. James P. Sterrett. Appointed in place of 
Wm. B. McClure, deceased. Elected in 
1862, and commissioned Nov. 4, 1862, for 
ten years. Re-elected in 1872, and com- 
missioned Nov. 10, 1872, for ten years. 
Resigned in 1877, when appointed to the 
Supreme Court. E. H. Stowe then be- 
came president-judge, and was re-elected 
in 1882 for ten years. 

1877, Mar. 15. E. H. Stowe, to January, 1903. 

1903, Jan. . .. Frederick Hill Collier. 

Associate Law Judges of the Common Pleas. 

When appointed : 

1859, April 16. John W. Maynard. Until first Monday of 
December, 1859. 

1859, Nov. 8. Thos. Mellon. Elected and commissioned 
for ten years. 

1862, May 22. David Ritchie. Commissioned until first 
Monday in December, 1862. 

1862, Nov. 4. Edwin H. Stowe. Elected and commis- 
sioned for ten years. 

1869, Nov. 26. Frederick H. Collier. Elected and com- 
missioned for ten years. 

1872, Nov. 6. E. H. Stowe. Re-elected and commissioned 
for ten years. 
[ 511 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

When appointed: 

1877, Mar. . . . Charles S. Fetterman. Appointed until 
first Monday in December, 1877. 

1877, Nov. . . . John H. Bailey. Elected and commissioned 
for ten years. 

1879, Nov. ... Fred. H. Collier. Re-elected and commis- 
sioned for ten years. 

1888, Jacob Frederick Slagle. Died Sept. 6, 

1900. 

1900, Marshall Brown. Appointed to fill vacancy 

by death of J. F. Slagle. 

1902, James R. Macf arlane. Elected for ten 

years. 

Recapitulation. 

Common Pleas No. 1. 

1883-1900. President-judge, E. H. Stowe; associate judges, 

F. H. Collier and Jacob F. Slagle. 
1900-1903. President- judge, E. H. Stowe; associate judges, 

F. H. Collier and Marshall Brown. 
1903 to present. President- judge, F. H. Collier; associate 

judges, Marshall Brown and James R. Mac- 

farlane. 

President-Judges of the District Court. 

When appointed: 

1833, May 2. Robert C. Grier. Resigned Aug. 8, 1846. 
1846, Aug. 13. Hopewell Hepburn. Recommissioned Feb. 
17, 1847. Resigned Nov. 3, 1851. 

1851, Nov. 3. Walter Forward. Elected and commis- 

sioned for ten years. Died in 1852. 

1852, Nov. 27. P. C. Shannon. Appointed till first Monday 

in December, 1853. 

1853, Nov. 19. Moses Hampton. Elected and commis- 

sioned for ten years. 

1863, Nov. 3. Moses Hampton. Re-elected and commis- 
sioned for ten years. 

1873, Nov. . . . Thomas Ewing. Elected and commissioned 
for ten years. 
[ 512 ] 



THE JUDICIARY 

Associate Law Judges of the District Court. 

When appointed: 

1839, June 22. Trevanion B. Dallas. Died 1841. 

1841, May 6. Charles Shaler. Resigned May 20, 1844. 

1844, Sept. 17. Hopewell Hepburn. Appointed president 
in 1846. 

1846, Aug. 20. Walter H. Lowrie. Reconunissioned April 
17, 1847. Elected to the Supreme Court 
in 1851. 

1851, Nov. 7. Henry W. Williams. Re-elected in 1861. 
Elected to Supreme Court in 1868. Died 
1877. 

1868, Nov. 10. John M. Kirkpatrick. Appointed till first 
Monday of December, 1869, and elected 
and commissioned Nov. 23, 1869, for ten 
years. Re-elected in 1879, and commis- 
sioned for ten years. 

1873, Nov. ... J. W. F. White. Elected and commissioned 
for ten years. 

Common Pleas No. 2. 

By the Constitution of 1873 the District Court was abol- 
ished and became Common Pleas No. 2. 
When appointed : 

1873, Dec. 1. John William Fletcher White. Re-elected 
in 1883 and 1893. Was made president- 
judge of No. 2 on May 13, 1897. Died 
Nov. 5, 1900. 
1874, Thomas Ewing. Same year made presi- 
dent-judge; re-elected 1884 and 1894; 
died May 9, 1897. 

1879, John Milton Kirkpatrick. Appointed to 

fill vacancy (of Judge Williams), on Nov. 
21, 1868. Elected 1869; re-elected 1879; 
resigned Sept. 23, 1885. 
1885, Oct. 10. Christopher Magee. Appointed to fill 
vacancy (of John M. Kirkpatrick). 

33 [ 513 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

AVhen appointed: 

Elected 1886 for ten years ; term expiring 

January, 1897. 
1896, Robert S. Frazer. Elected for ten years to 

1907; succeeded Judge White. Made 

president-judge, 1900. 
1897, John D. Shaf er. Succeeded Judge Ewing. 

1898, elected for ten years ; still serving. 
1901, Elliott Rodgers. Elected for ten years ; 

resigned 1905. 
1905, Mar. 18. James S. Young. Appointed to succeed 

Elliott Rodgers; elected for ten years 

from 1905; still serving. 

Recapitulation. 
Common Pleas No. 2. 

1883-1885. President-judge, Thomas Ewing; associate 
judges, J. W. F. White, J. M. Kirkpatrick. 

1885-1897. President-judge, Thomas Ewing; associate 
judges, J. W. F. Wliite, C. Magee. 

1897-1900. President-judge, J. W. F. White; associate 
judges, Robert S. Frazer, John D. Shafer. 

1900-1905. President-judge, Robert S. Frazer; associate 
judges, John D. Shafer, Elliott Rodgers. 

1905 to present. President-judge, Robert S. Frazer; asso- 
ciate judges, John D. Shafer, James S. Young. 

Common Pleas No. 3. 

Created by Act of Legislature to begin from 1891. 

When appointed: 

1891, June 2. John M. Kennedy. Appointed president- 
judge by the Governor. The court or- 
ganized on that date, but the appoint- 
ment was of a few months prior date. 
In 1892 elected for ten years and again 
in 1902. 

1892, Samuel McClurg. Elected for ten years ; 

re-elected 1902. 
[ 514 ] 



THE JUDICIARY 

When appointed: 

1892, William D. Porter, Jr. Elected for ten 

years; resigned 1898. 
1898, Sept. 5. John A. Evans. Appointed to fill vacancy 

of W. D. Porter; elected in 1899 for ten 

years. 

Recapitulation. 
Common Pleas No. 3. 

1891-1898. President-judge, John M. Kennedy; associate 
judges, Samuel A. McClurg, William D. Por- 
ter, Jr. 

1898 to present. President-judge, John M. Kennedy ; asso- 
ciate judges, Samuel A. McClurg, John A. 
Evans. 

Orphans' Court of Allegheny County. 

The Constitution of 1874, Sec. 22, provided that in every 
county wherein the population should exceed 150,000, there 
should be a separate Orphans' Court, consisting of one or 
more judges. In pursuance thereof, the Legislature, by 
Act of May nineteenth, 1874, constituted a separate Or- 
phans ' Court for Allegheny county, with one judge. At the 
general election in November, 1874, William G. Hawkins 
was elected president-judge, and commissioned for the term 
of ten years from the first Monday of January, 1875. 

By Act of May fifth, 1881, an associate judge was added. 
May twenty-seventh, 1881, James W. Over was commis- 
sioned by the Governor until the first Monday of January 
following. In November, 1881, he was elected and com- 
missioned for a term of ten years from the first Monday of 
January, 1882. 

When appointed: 

1874, William G. Hawkins, Jr. Elected presi- 
dent-judge for a term of ten years; re- 
elected 1895 and 1905. 

1881, James W. Over. Appointed by Governor ; 

[ 515 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

When appointed : 

same year elected for term of ten years, 
beginning 1882 ; re-elected 1902. 

1901, Dec. . . . Josiah Cohen. Took seat January 14, 1902, 
serving until election, when defeated and 
superseded in January, 1903, by: 

1902, Jacob J. Miller. Elected for ten years from 

1903. 

Recapitulation. 
Orphans' Court of Allegheny County. 

1874—1881. President and only judge, William G. Haw- 
kins, Jr. 

1881-1901. President-judge, William G. Hawkins, Jr.; as- 
sociate judge, James W. Over. 

1901-1903. President-judge, William G. Hawkins, Jr.; as- 
sociate judges, James W. Over and Josiah 
Cohen. 

3903 to present. President- judge, William G. Hawkins, Jr.; 
associate judges, James W. Over and Jacob 
J. Miller. 

Juvenile Court of Allegheny County. 

The State Legislature, in 1901, passed an Act which pro- 
vided a separate tribunal for the hearing of dependent and 
delinquent children under the age of sixteen years. Alle- 
gheny county let a year go by before the Juvenile Court was 
established. The first Act was cumbersome, and in March, 
1903, Juvenile Court committees from Philadelphia and 
Allegheny county secured new legislation regarding the 
Juvenile Court, contained in five Acts, known as Juvenile 
Court Laws. This subject is intensely important to every 
man and woman, for here the " hope lies." The work 
already accomplished is bearing fruit. The judges have 
' ' made a man ' ' of many a boy. The work of Judge Lind- 
sey, of Denver, is proof to the world of the possibility of a 
right outcome if the attempt is only made in this, the most 

[ 516 ] 



THE JUDICIARY 

pathetic side of the story of life. Excerpts from the Penn- 
sylvania legislation make explicit the desired end of the 
State : 

* ' The welfare of the State demands that children should 
be guarded from association and contact with crime and 
criminals. * * * The ordinary process of the criminal 
law does not provide such treatment and care and moral 
encouragement as are essential to all children in the for- 
mative period of life, but endangers the whole future of the 
child. Experience has shown that children lacking proper 
parental care and guardianship are led into courses of life 
which render them liable to the pains and penalties of the 
criminal law of the State, although, in fact, the real interests 
of such child or children require that they be not incar- 
cerated in penitentiaries and jails as members of the crimi- 
nal class, but be subjected to a wise care, treatment and 
control, that their evil tendencies may be checked, and their 
better instincts may be strengthened. To that end, it is 
important that the power of the courts in respect to the 
care, treatment and control over dependent, neglected, de- 
linquent and incorrigible children should be clearly distin- 
guished from the powers exercised in the administration of 
the criminal law. 

'' The court shall appoint one or more discreet persons of 
good character to serve as probation officers during the 
pleasure of the court, said probation officers to receive no 
compensation from the public treasury, and it shall be the 
duty of all probation officers so appointed to make such 
investigations as may be required by the court, to be present 
in court when the case is heard, and to furnish to the court 
such information and assistance as the judge may require, 
and to take such charge of any child before and after trial 
as may be directed by the court." 



[ 517 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 



SOME PIONEER MEN AND OTHER 
MATTERS 



Not to the great Washington, nor to Forbes, who gained 
the territory for the English, nor to Simeon Ecuyer, who 
held the little fort and sheltered the inliabitants from the 
schemes of Pontiac, nor to Bouquet, who relieved the fort, 
and again opened the eastern communication, but to those 
men who came to stay, who became personally possessed 
of the land, who made it their home, who undertook to wrest 
their livelihood from the place, to these men is due the 
honor of the title — the makers of Pittsburgh. 

The first men who bought land with these views were 
Isaac Graig and Stephen Bayard. They purchased from 
the Penns, in January, 1784, three acres, located between 
Fort Pitt and the Allegheny river. Major Isaac Craig, an 
Irishman by birth, had emigrated to Philadelphia, in 1767, 
and at the outbreak of the Revolution had become a Cap- 
tain of Marines. Later he became a Captain of Artillery, 
and served throughout the war. Towards the close of the 
war, he was ordered to Pittsburgh, and thereafter con- 
tinued to make it his home. He filled many offices of public 
trust, and took an active part in the making and develop- 
ment of his adopted town. He died at his country home on 
Montour's Island, on May fourth, 1825. His sons, after 
him, followed his example in their citizenship. 

Col. Stephen Bayard was born in Maryland. He served 
throughout the entire Revolution, having raised his own 

[ 518 ] 




GENERAL JAMES O HAKA. 



SOME PIONEER MEN AND OTHER MATTERS 

company. His first experience in the western country was 
due to his service in Brodhead's expedition against the 
Indians, which was dispatched from Pittsburgh. The young 
officer, being attracted to the place, after his military 
service was finished, settled here. With his partner, Isaac 
Craig, he was one of the leaders, and his son, after him. 
Col. Bayard laid out the town of Elizabeth, naming it in 
honor of his wife. He died in the sixty-seventh 3^ear of his 
age, 1816, beloved and honored in the community. 

Col. Bayard was partner with Isaac Craig in the pur- 
chase of real estate, but James O'Hara was Craig's partner 
in that great undertaking, the establishment of the manu- 
facture of glass. James O'Hara was also a native of 
Ireland, a man of education and parts, who emigrated to 
Philadelphia in 1772. He became interested almost im- 
mediately in the Indian trade and in the western country. 
He served through the Revolutionary War and came to 
Pittsburgh in 1783. He built his home on the Allegheny 
above Fort Pitt, in what was known as the " Officer's 
Orchard." During the Indian campaigns of Generals 
Harmar, St. Clair, and Wayne, he was a large army con- 
tractor, and in 1792 was appointed Quartermaster-General 
of the Army of the United States. He was largely engaged 
in the manufacture of salt, and he purchased extensive 
tracts of land in and about Pittsburgh which have been 
the foundations of several great fortunes of to-day. Gen. 
O'Hara was actively interested in almost every enterprise 
in the young town, and was, naturally, one of its foremost 
citizens. He lived to a good old age, and died in 1819 
surrounded by his children and grandchildren and mourned 
by the community. 

It is said that Col. George Morgan visited Pittsburgh 
as early as 1763. He, however, did not stay, and did not 
return until he was appointed by Congress, Indian Agent 
and Commissioner for the Western Department, in 1776, 
and stationed at Pittsburgh. Despite the proffer of other 
appointments he continued his work here, as his influence 
over the Indians was very great. He inherited from his 
brother, Dr. John Morgan, first Surgeon-General of the 
United States, a tract of land on Chartiers creek, which he 

[ 519 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

called Morganza, and there resided until his death. Here 
it was that the adventurer, Aaron Burr, came to lay his 
scheme of a western empire before Col. Morgan, who im- 
mediately made Burr's sedition known to the government 
at Washington. Col. Morgan died in April of the year 
1810. His sons and his grandsons after him were eminent 
citizens. 

John Neville, later Col. Neville, was the son of Richard 
Neville and his wife, Ann Burroughs. He was born in 
1731 in Virginia. He served with Washington in Brad- 
dock's ill-fated expedition; and also in " Lord Dunmore's 
War," and, as has been mentioned, he was sent by Vir- 
ginia, in 1775, to take possession of Fort Pitt. Through 
the Revolution he was Colonel of the Fourth Virginia 
Line and one of the original members of the Society of 
the Cincinnati. He was a member of the Pennsylvania 
Supreme Executive Council from November eleventh, 1783, 
until November twentieth, 1786, and was a delegate to the 
Pennsylvania Convention which ratified the Federal Con- 
stitution in 1787, and signed the ratification. Col. Neville 
was chosen by President Washington and Secretary Hamil- 
ton to act as Inspector of Revenue through that difficult 
time, the Whiskey Insurrection. A review of his life 
reveals the fact that all men trusted his sagacity. He died 
in 1803. Col. Neville married Winifred Oldham, of Vir- 
ginia. Their children were Presley, who married a 
daughter of Gen. Morgan ; Amelia, who became the wife of 
Major Isaac Craig, and another daughter who became the 
wife of Major Abraham Kirkpatrick. 

John Wilkins was born in 1761. As a boy he went into 
the Revolution and he came out with his sword and 
epaulettes, and then he came to Pittsburgh. He was a 
man of great force and keen business judgment. He was 
the first president of the Pittsburgh Branch of the Bank 
of Pennsylvania, and it was largely due to his initiative 
that the establishment of this branch was accomplished. 
Gen. John Wilkins died in 1816. William Wilkins' name 
has always reflected honor on Pittsburgh. He was judge, 
first president of the Bank of Pittsburgh, United States 
Senator, Secretary of War, and Minister to Russia. A 

[ 520 ] 




HON. WM. WILKINS. 



SOME PIONEER MEN AND OTHER MATTERS 

whole community is raised in the estimation of the country 
when she produces such sons as these. 

One of Pittsburgh's very earliest settlers was John 
Ormsby, born in Ireland in 1720; emigrated to this coun- 
try and became an officer in the army of Gen. Forbes, which 
took Fort Duquesne in 1758, where he remained. As a 
reward for his military service he was granted a^-large 
tract of land on the south side of the Monongahela river, 
including the whole of the former boroughs of South Pitts- 
burgh, Birmingham, East Birmingham, Ormsby, and the 
larger part of lower St. Clair township. He became a 
merchant in this place and was prominent in all progres- 
sive movements. He constructed and ran the first ferry 
across the Monongahela river. He was a graduate of 
Trinity College, Dublin, and brought with him to this 
frontier village all that grace and elegance of manner 
which told of cultivation in the old world. He married 
Jane McAllister, and first lived on Water street, afterward 
erecting a mansion on the South Side at the head of what 
is now Twenty-seventh street. The community bears the 
impress of his character through his descendants. Many 
of the names of the South Side are derived from the 
Ormsby family, as Mount Oliver, named for John Ormsby 's 
only son, Oliver; Mary street and Sarah street, for Miss 
Mary and Miss Sarah Ormsby John Ormsby died Decem- 
ber nineteenth, 1805, and was buried beside his wife in 
Trinity churchyard. 

Ebenezer Denny was born in Carlisle on March eleventh, 
1761, being the oldest child of William and Agnes Parker 
Denny. When thirteen years of age he obtained employ- 
ment as a bearer of dispatches to the Commandant at Fort 
Pitt. At the outbreak of the Revolution he was employed 
in his father's store at Carlisle, but soon volunteered in 
the Continental Army. His career during the Revolu- 
tionary War was notably honorable ; after having obtained 
the rank of ensign he was promoted to a lieutenancy. 
During the campaigns of Generals St. Clair and Harmar 
against the Indians in 1790, he was Adjutant to Gen. 
Harmar, and later Aid-de-camp to Gen. St. Clair. After 
Major Denny's retirement to civil life he married, on the 

[ 521 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

first of July, 1793, Nancy Wilkins, the youngest daughter 
of John Wilkins, Sr., and sister of William Wilkins. 
Major Denny was treasurer of Allegheny county in 1803 
and 1808, and was appointed one of a board of nine Alder- 
men in 1806; and served on the board of directors of the 
Branch Bank of the United States and of the Bank of 
Pittsburgh. About the beginning of the last century he 
engaged in business in partnership with Anthony Beelen. 
During the War of 1812 Major Denny obtained contracts 
from the War Department to supply army rations. One 
of these contracts obliged him to supply rations at Erie 
on thirty days' notice. After the surrender of Hull a 
large number of the militia were suddenly ordered to 
various points on the lake. All the contractors, with the 
exception of Major Denny, taking advantage of the clause 
in their contracts which entitled them to the thirty days' 
notice, made no attempt to supply the troops. Major 
Denny gave evidence of his patriotism and met the requisi- 
tion, although he lost heavily thereby. He was chosen 
first Mayor of Pittsburgh in 1816. He died on the twenty- 
first of July, 1822, in the sixty-first year of his age. He 
was survived by three sons, Harmar, William, and St. 
Clair, and two daughters. 

James Ross reflected credit on Pittsburgh through his 
service to the district as United States Senator. Alex- 
ander Addison was the first law judge in Allegheny county. 
Thoroughly cultivated, lovely in his human relationships 
and of unimpeachable honor, he was both a benefit and an 
ornament to society. Nathaniel Bedford was the first 
physician of Pittsburgh. He came to the town about 1770, 
and was shortly followed by Dr. Thomas Parker and Dr. 
George Stevenson. 

Were it possible to go wandering back down Water 
street, up Front street, through First, Second and Third 
into Marbury, Hand and Irwin and tell the story of each 
man and woman who dwelt there, it would sum up into a 
catalogue those sterling virtues of endurance and patience 
and foresight, of kindliness and generosity which lent 
enduring stability to the frontier town and which laid the 
foundations of a great city. 

[ 522 ] 




HON. EEENEZER DENNY, FIRST MAYOR OF PITTSBURGH. 



SOME PIONEER MEN AND OTHER MATTERS 

It is an interesting incident to remember that, about 1796, 
the Duke of Orleans, later Louis XVIII., King of the 
French, accompanied by his two brothers, the Dukes of 
Montpensier and Beaujolais, came to the little town. They 
were the guests of Gen. Neville to whom they became very 
much attached. Watson, in his '' Annals," records this 
visit at length and notes the charm of the conversation of 
the Duke of Orleans and speaks of the young and interest- 
ing Beaujolais. 

Two men, father and son, who were active beyond the 
ordinary in the little community, were Judge H. H. 
Brackenridge and his son, Judge H. M. Brackenridge. 
Both were men of literary attainment. The Gazette con- 
tributions of the elder Brackenridge are given in part in 
this volume, and it is due to the volume entitled " Recol- 
lections of the West," of the second Judge Brackenridge, 
that it is possible to form a picture of Pittsburgh as it 
was then : 

" Pittsburgh when I first knew it was but a village. 
Two plains, partly short commons, depastured by the town 
cows, embraced the foot of Grant's Hill, one extending a 
short distance up the Monongahela, the other stretching 
up the Allegheny river; while the town of straggling 
houses, easily counted, and more of logs than frame, and 
more of the latter than of brick or stone, lay from the 
junction along the Monongahela. On the bank of the 
Allegheny, at the distance of a long Sunday afternoon's 
walk, stood Fort Fayette, surmounted by the stars and 
stripes of the old thirteen, and from this place the King's 
Orchard or garden extended to the ditch of old Fort Pitt, 
the name by which the little town was then known. On 
the north side of the river just mentioned, the hills rose 
rude and rough, without the smoke of a single chimney to 
afford a rhyme to the muse of Tom Moore. The clear and 
beautiful Allegheny, the loveliest stream that ever glistened 
to the moon, gliding over its polished pebbles, being the 
Ohio, or La Belle Riviere, under a different name, was still 
the boundary of civilization; for all beyond it was called 
the Indian country, and associated in the mind with many 
a fireside tale of scalping-knife, hairbreadth escapes, and 

[ 523 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

all the horrors of savage warfare. On the Monongahela 
side the hills rose from the water's edge to the height of a 
mountain, with some two or three puny houses squeezed 
in between it and the river. On its summit stood the 
farmhouse and barn of Major Kirkpatrick. The barn was 
burnt down by the heroes of the Whiskey Insurrection, and 
this happening in the night, threw a light over the town 
across the river, so brilliant that one might see to pick up 
a pin on the street. * * * 

' ' To the east — for I am now supposed to be standing 
on the brow of Grant's Hill — the ground was particularly 
picturesque, and beautifully diversified with hill and dale, 
having undergone some little change from the state of 
nature. The hill (Grant's) was the favorite promenade in 
fine weather and on Sunday afternoon. It was pleasing 
to see the line of well-dressed ladies and gentlemen and 
children, nearly the whole population, repairing to this 
beautiful green eminence. It was considered so essential 
to the conifort and recreation of the inhabitants that they 
could scarcely imagine how a town could exist without its 
Grant's Hill. * * * j have not yet completed my sketch 
of the appearance of the place in the olden time, and should 
consider it extremely imperfect if I were to say nothing 
of the race-course, to which the plain or common between 
it (Grant's Hill) and the Allegheny was appropriated. 

''At the time to which I- allude, the plain was entirely 
unencumbered by buildings or inclosures, excepting the 
Dutch Church, corner of Sixth avenue and Smithfield 
(which still occupies the same site), which stood aloof 
from the haunts of man, unless at those times when it was 
forced to become the center of the hippodrome. And the 
races — shall we say nothing of that obsolete recreation? 
It was then an affair of all-engrossing interest, and every 
business or pursuit was neglected during their continuance. 
The whole town was daily poured forth to witness the 
Olympian games, many of all ages and sexes as spectators, 
and many more, either directly or indirectly, interested in 
a hundred different ways. The plain within the course, 
and near it, was filled with booths, as at a fair, where every- 
thing was said and done, and sold and eaten or drunk — 

[ 524 ] 



SOME PIONEER MEN AND OTHER MATTERS 

where every fifteen or twenty minutes there was a rush to 
some part to witness a fisticuff, where dogs barked and bit, 
and horses trod on men's toes, and booths fell down on 
people's heads! * * * " 

Judge Brackenridge further mentions that before his 
time " Black Charles " '' kept the first hotel in the place; " 
that contemporary with his earliest recollections the sign 
of ^' General Butler," kept by Patrick Murphy, had the 
distinction of being the principal tavern. According to 
the same writer, the sign of " General Butler " was suc- 
ceeded by the " Green Tree," situated on the bank of 
the Monongahela, and kept by William Morrow. In the 
early numbers of the Gazette, advertisements of taverns 
were numerous ; this quaint announcement appeared : 

*' The subscriber takes this method of returning his 
sincere thanks to those of his friends who have been pleased 
to honor his house with their company and hopes for a 
continuance of their favor and the public in general. Hav- 
ing provided every necessary convenience for the accom- 
modation of man and horse. As the Pittsburgh races will 
soon commence he thinks it a duty incumbent upon him to 
acquaint such of his friends who mean to attend that 
polite amusement that no endeavor shall be wanting on his 
part which may tend to their satisfaction. 

'' September twentieth, 1786." 

Gen. John Wilkins complained in his diary that, although 
there were a number of respectable families residing in 
the Pittsburgh of 1786, still the majority were more in- 
clined to interest themselves in horse racing, etc., than to 
contribute to the building of the First Presbyterian 
Church. The Pittsburgh Gazette of September fifth, 1786, 
contained the first record of a horse race in this place; it 
read: 

' ' Pittsburgh races will commence on Thursday, the nine- 
teenth of October next, when a purse of one hundred and 
twenty dollars will be run for. Free for any horse, mare 
or gelding, carrying weight for age — that is, a horse of 
seven years to carry ten stone with a deduction of seven 
pound weight for each year he or they shall be under. 

[ 525 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Three mile heats. Entrance five dollars. On Saturday 
the twenty-first will be run a sweepstake composed of the 
entrance money. The horses to start precisely at one 
o'clock each day. No iockey will be permitted to ride 
unless he has some genteel jockey habits." 

Horse racing was indeed one of the favorite amuse- 
ments of the early days. The first track was on the then 
unoccupied plain now covered by parts of Smithfield and 
Liberty streets and Penn avenue, not far from the present 
site of the Union Station. It was advertised in October, 
1800, that a purse of sixty dollars was to be run for, ' ' over 
the course in Pittsburgh," and it was announced in that 
same month that ' ' races will be sported for on the turf at 
McKee's Port." Later there was a course at '' Two Mile 
Run," and on the farm known as the Bullock Pens, six 
miles east of Pittsburgh, the ground lying along what is 
now Penn avenue, between Homewood and Braddock 
avenues. 

The cultivated and active men who lived in the isolated 
little hamlet of Pittsburgh during the end of the eighteenth 
and the beginning of the nineteenth centuries, when there 
were no railroads or telegraphs, and the mails were not 
frequent, were compelled to look to themselves for their 
amusements and intellectual progress. They made merry 
together and openly endeavored to help with the sorrows 
and trials of others. In the primitive, or at least more 
simple way of living, there may have been a solace in life, 
begotten of the trust and friendship which is lost in the 
hurried society of to-day, with its artificial aloofness. 

There is no list extant of the members of the Pittsburgh 
Mechanical Society, but in the Gazette of May second, 1789, 
the members ' ' are requested to attend their monthly meet- 
ing on Monday evening at seven o'clock, at the house of 
Colonel Tannehill." There is no record of its beginning 
or of its discontinuance, but on the third of June, 1803, by 
order of the president, Z. Cramer, the secretary, gave 
notice that a '' meeting will be held at the usual time and 
place on Monday next, and a punctual attendance is 
expected. ' ' 

The winter of 1811 and 1812 was varied by a course of 

[ 526 ] 



SOME PIONEER MEN AND OTHER MATTERS 

lectures on chemistry, delivered by Dr. Aigster. It was, 
perhaps, out of this series of lectures by Dr. Aigster that 
the ' * Chemical and Physiological Society ' ' grew, the mem- 
bers of which were requested to " meet at A. M. Bolton's, 
Academy Hall, Market street, on Friday, October twenty- 
ninth, 1813, at six o'clock, for the purpose of organizing 
the institution and electing officers." The society lived 
long enough, at any rate, to hold an anniversary : 

**At the anniversary meeting of the Chemical and 
Physiological Society, held on Thursday the tenth ultimo, 
the following gentlemen were elected officers for the en- 
suing year : President, Walter Forward, Esq. ; Treasurer, 
Samuel Pettigrew ; Librarian, Lewis Peterson ; Lecturer on 
Chemistry, Dr. B. Troost; Botany, M. M. Murray; Anat- 
omy, Dr. Joel Lewis; Mineralogy, Dr. Aigster; Astronomy 
and Natural Philosophy, Joseph Patterson; Annalist, A, 
M. Bolton; Annual Orator, J. B. Trevor. The members 
of the society are particularly requested to attend at their 
hall on Thursday evening next at seven o'clock, for the 
purpose of enacting rules and by-laws, agreeably to the 
new constitution. Dr. Troost will deliver a lecture on 
oxygen gas accompanied with several interesting experi- 
ments. 

'^ By order of the Society, 

^' H. Denny, 

" Secretary. 

"November fifteenth, 1814." 

There was still another notice concerning it, in which a 
lecture was mentioned on the " singular properties and 
effects of the nitrous-oxide, or, as it is sometimes called, 
the exhilarating gas, on Friday, February twenty-fifth, 
1814." 

Rev. Mr. Taylor delivered a course of lectures on 
astronomy in the Long Room in the garrison, beginning 
on the eighteenth of January, 1812. The terms were five 
dollars per quarter. 

Then there was the Franklin Society, without a date of 
beginning or ending now, but noticed in the papers of 

[ 527 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

October, 1813, and on the fourth of July, 1814, ^' the mem- 
bers of the Franklin Society and some other young gentle- 
men of the town, having assembled to celebrate the fourth 
of July, Mr. James McRea was elected president of the 
day, and Mr. William Robinson, vice-president. An oration 
having been delivered by one of the members, they partook 
of an elegant dinner, and after the cloth was removed the 
toasts were drunk." 

H. M. Braekenridge further stated in his ^' Recollections 
of the West, ' ' that ' ' the better class of society in the early 
time occasionally endeavored to amuse themselves with 
amateur theatricals. The large room in the court house was 
fitted up as a theatre and several hundred dollars expended 
to bring music from Philadelphia. The majority of the 
dramatis personce, were young law students, among them, 
William Wilkins, Morgan Neville, Greorge Wallace, and 
Thomas Butler." 

The upper hall of the court house was used not only by 
amateurs, but by the professionals. Taverns, too, were 
made to serve as pioneer theatres, William Irwin's third 
story on the east corner of the Diamond, also William Mor- 
row's, on the corner of Wood and Fourth streets. The 
Pittsburgh Gazette of January twentieth, 1803, contained 
the following announcement : 

'' Theatrical Entertainment. 

'' This evening, at 7 o'clock, will be performed, at the 
Court House, the Comedy of Trick upon Trick; also the 
farce of The Jealous Husband or The Lawyer in the 
Sack, the whole to conclude with a pantomime of The 
Sailor's Landlady or Jack in Distress, with songs, etc., 
etc., etc. 

" Tickets to be had at Mr. Reed's Tavern. Doors will be 
open at half past six o'clock, and the performance will begin 
precisely at 7 o'clock. 

' ' Messrs. Bromly & Arnold respectfully inform the pub- 
lic that they intend performing for a few weeks in this 
Borough, on the evenings of Tuesday and Friday of each 
week." 

[ 528 ] 



SOME PIONEER MEN AND OTHER MATTERS 

During the ensuing years the various newspapers, The 
Gazette, the Commonwealth, and The Tree of Liberty, con- 
tinued to advertise theatrical performances to be given in 
the court house, and in the taverns, but in the Pittsburgh 
Gazette, of May seventh, 1812, this notice appeared : 

" New Theatre. 

' ' The subscribers to the theatre are requested to pay Mr. 
Isaac Roberts, box office keeper, the amount of one third of 
the season tickets. The remainder will be called for in two 
payments, one on Monday, May twenty-fifth, and the last 
on Monday, June eighth. "William Turner and Company." 

It is generally believed that the first theatre was built 
between the years 1817 and 1820, under the direction of 
Charles Weidner, but it is evident from contemporaneous 
advertising that there was a theatre as early as the Spring 
of 1812. Further evidence of the actuality of this theatre 
is shown in the following notice : 

" To BE Sold, one moiety or half part of the Pitts- 
burgh Theatre with the scenery, decorations, embellish- 
ments, etc. From the receipts of the theatre, it holds out a 
prospect of being a very valuable property to a purchaser. 
A considerable deduction will be made in the consideration 
money for cash. Apply to J. Montefiore, Conveyancer, 
Diamond alley, or to Isaac Roberts, near the Theatre. 
Pittsburgh Gazette, November eighteenth, 1813." 

And in another advertisement of September fourth of 
the same year: '' The proprietors of the theatre are happy 
to announce to the public the engagement of Mr. Webster 
for three nights only." 

The notices quoted, and others that may be found in 
extant copies of the newspapers, seem sufficient to prove 
the ' ' first theatre ' ' to have been built several years earlier 
than the hitherto accepted date. 

The list of plays produced was wide in its range, from 
the tragedies of Shakespeare to the veriest farce. The 
Pittsburgh Theatre followed the old English custom of 
accompanying the drama with a farce; the delightful in- 
congruity of the entertainment is shown in this excerpt 
from the Gazette: 

34 [ 529 ] 



THE HISTOEY OF PITTSBURGH 

* ' Shakespeare and Colman. 

" Positively the very last night. 

" Theatre. 

" Mr. W. Turner, grateful for the general support given 
Mrs. Turner, respectfully solicits the attendance of the 
patrons of the drama, assuring them that it has been his 
study to render the theatre as deserving of encouragement 
as he possibly could. He has selected for their gratification 
a play and farce, written by the most celebrated authors; 
which from their celebrity in England and America de- 
servedly claim their attention. On Monday evening, March 
thirteenth, will be presented Shakespeare's universally ad- 
mired tragedy in five Acts, called, 

" King Lear 
' ' and his three daughters. 

*' King Lear Mr. Collins. 

'* Cordelia Mrs. Turner. 

" Goneril Barrett. 

" Eegan Miss Greer. 

' ' After the play comic songs by Mr. Morgan ; after which 
a very popular opera written by Colman, the younger, called 
' Inkle and Yartco, or Love in A Cave.' To conclude 
with the farewell address written for the occasion to be 
spoken by Mrs. Barrett. In order that the performance 
may be over at a reasonable hour the curtain will rise posi- 
tively at quarter before seven o'clock, March 11, 1815." 

In a community where Scotch Presbyterianism predomi- 
nated, it was not to be expected that the stage was looked 
upon with too much favor. This feeling was doubtless a 
formidable obstacle to financial success, and it was probably 
an effort to overcome these scruples that prompted the 
'^ Thespian Society " to announce in the Gazette, of Janu- 
ary fourteenth, 1817, that " the Theatre in this city is now 
open for the double purpose of gratifying the public taste 
by a moral and rational amusement, and adding to the funds 
of the Male Charitable Sunday School. ' The Man of Forti- 

[ 530 ] 




PITTSBURGH'S FIEST THEATRE AND THE OLD DRURY THEATRE. 



SOME PIONEER MEN AND OTHER MATTERS 

tude ' and the farce of ' The Review ' have been selected for 
representation this evening. Since society has been re- 
leased from the chains of superstition, the propriety of 
theatric amusements has not been doubted by any man of 
liberal feelings and enlightened understanding. If the 
maxim of Seneca ' that a virtuous man struggling with mis- 
fortunes and bearing them with fortitude is a spectacle 
upon which the gods may look down with pleasure ' be true, 
the representation of such a scene cannot be unimproving 
to the mind. The stage conveys a moral in colors more 
vivid than the awful and elevated station of the preacher 
permits him to use, it is his coadjutor in good and goes with 
him hand in hand in exposing vice to ridicule and honoring 
virtue. ' ' 

At this time the histrionic " Trust " was a thing of the 
future, and every theatre was not only owned by those that 
managed it, but usually had its own stock company. Time 
has long since effaced the fame of the early performers on 
the Pittsburgh stage. The only tribute that can be paid to 
these pioneers is simply to record their names. During the 
first years of the Pittsburgh Theatre, Mrs. Turner was the 
" leading lady," that is to say, from about 1812 to 1816; 
among others were : Miss Emily Tempest, Miss Greer, 
Mrs. Barrett, Mr. Collins (who appears to have been '' lead- 
ing man "), Mr. A. Williams, and Mr. Cargill. 

On Monday, September second, 1833, the theatre known 
as " Old Drury " was opened. It occupied the ground that 
is now 306 and 310 Fifth avenue. The architect was John 
Haviland. The scenery was painted by J. R. Smith, and the 
stage machinery was under the supervision of Stafford & 
Hoffman, of Philadelphia. The building was erected by 
Messrs. Roseburg, Reynolds, Scott, and McCullough. The 
following description of the theatre appeared in the Mes- 
senger of 1833 : 

" The Pittsburgh Theatre is a neat two-story building, 
the front is 57 feet, depth 130. The interior of this theatre 
is arranged to combine the greatest degree of elegance and 
convenience. And will safely vie with any other in the 
Union. The boxes, which are of two tiers, are of rose color, 
ornamented with gold work, bearing a shield upon which are 

[ 531 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

emblazoned the arms of the United States. The seats are 
covered with crimson, edged with velvet and handsomel}' 
studded with brass nails. The theatre is lighted witli 
eighteen splendid chandeliers hung at proper intervals. 
The proscenium represents the Pennsylvania arms, and 
there are splendid draperies about the stage doors and the 
salons which are extensive and spacious. The scenery, 
painted by J. R. Smith, is of the most magnificent descrip- 
tion, and the wardrobes are all new and convenient. ' ' When 
the building was taken down in 1870, it was then said that it 
had stood remarkably well, and that there was not one 
place of amusement in the city that was as safe and easy of 
speedy exit in case of danger, as was this old Pittsburgh 
theatre. There were, all told, five doors of entrance; over 
the three central doors hung an iron balcony, upon which 
were a number of lamp posts. The announcement of the 
opening of the theatre also stated that ' ' a first class Lon- 
don artist had been engaged for the last three months in 
procuring and perfecting the wardrobe, which shall equal, 
if not exceed, that of any eastern theatre. The managers 
have engaged the eminent tragedian, Mr. Edwin Forrest, 
also Mr. and Mrs. Hilson, Miss Clara Fisher, Mrs. Knight, 
Mr. J. R. Scott, and Mr. Parslowe, of the Covent Garden 
Theatre, London. The management desires to raise the 
genius and mend the heart, show virtue her features and 
vice her own image and the body of the times his form and 
presence." The announcement was signed by Francis E. 
Wemyss. 

There were two theatres in 1860; the Pittsburgh Opera 
House, now the Grand, was built in 1871 ; in 1877, the 
Academy was opened as a theatre by Henry Williams; in 
1875, the Bijou; the Duquesne opened in 1890; in 1891, the 
Alvin, built by Charles L. Davis, was opened; 1895, the 
Empire, in the East End; the Nixon opened, in 1903, and 
in 1904, the Gayety. 

From 1800 to 1820, almost every newspaper contained the 
announcement of some " professor " of dancing. The 
teachers of dancing often combined with it instruction in 
drawing, painting, music and French. As for instance, Mr. 
Boudet, '' formerly of Paris, and lately of Philadelphia," 

[ 532 ] 



SOME PIONEER MEN AND OTHER MATTERS 

respectfully tendered his services as professor of dancing, 
drawing and painting, and announced that he was the bearer 
of several letters of introduction to respectable houses in 
Pittsburgh, as well as testimonials from conspicuous char- 
acters in the State, and the Union, which he deemed suffi- 
cient to establish his claim to public patronage. His charges 
for instruction in each branch were ten dollars, in addition 
to an entrance fee of five dollars tor beginners in 
dancing. All this being bat one phase of this busy, restless 
town. 

William Evans must be remembered for his musical 
services. He taught the children music and he gave the 
first sacred concert in Pittsburgh, in Dr. Herron's church, 
in 1818. He organized various choirs and a number of 
musical societies. Perhaps it is of his sowing that to-day 
we reap the benefit in that organization, the Pittsburgh 
Orchestra. 

The first Historical Society was organized in 1834, with 
Mr. Thomas Bakewell as president. It, however, languished 
and expired. Its legitimate successor was the Historical 
Society of Western Pennsylvania, founded in 1877, and 
chartered in 1888. The design of this society is the preser- 
vation of the early local histoiy of this section. Father 
A. A. Lambing, LL.D., is the president. Pittsburgh is 
deeply in his debt for he has done valuable work in pre- 
serving her scattered archives. Those few people who have 
been of service in this particular line are : The Bracken- 
ridges, father and son, the Craigs, father and son, Mr. and 
Mrs. William Darlington, Judge Veech, and George H. 
Thurston. 

In speaking of the efforts of the Historical Society of 
Western Pennsylvania, and the endeavor to keep those 
things which became of historical value, there is here listed 
the original names of the streets, which now are merely 
denominated First, Second, Third. Tlie only possible ex- 
cuse that can be offered for the losing of these historical 
suggestions in street names is, that in the consolidation 
which took place in 1867, the city fathers declared that there 
was much duplication in the names and, therefore, a change 
to numerals was necessary. 

[ 533 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Point street, now First street. 
Duquesne street, now Second street. 
Marbury street, now Third street. 
Hay street, now Fourth street. 
Pitt street, now Fifth street. 
St. Clair street, now Sixth street. 
Irwin street, now Seventh street. 
Hancock street, now Eighth street. 
Hand street, now Ninth street. 
Wayne street, now Tenth street. 
Canal street, now Eleventh street. 
O'Hara street, now Twelfth street. 
Walnut street, now Thirteenth street. 
Factory street, now Fourteenth street. 
Adams street, now Fifteenth street. 
Mechanics street, now Sixteenth street. 
Harrison street, now Seventeenth street. 
Pine street, now Eighteenth street. 
Locust street, now Ninteenth street. 
Carson street, now Twentieth street. 
Allegheny street, now Twenty-first street. 
Lumber street, now Twenty-second street. 
Carroll street, now Twenty-third street. 
Wilkins street, now Twenty-fourth street. 
Baldwin street, now Twenty-fifth street. 
Morris street, now Twenty-sixth street. 
Rush street, now Twenty-seventh street. 
Morton street, now Twenty-eighth street. 
Clymer street, now Twenty-ninth street. 
Smith street, now Thirtieth street. 
Taylor street, now Thirty-first street. 
Wilson street, now Thirty-second street. 
Boundary street, now Thirty-third street. 
Johnson street, now Thirty-fourth street. 
Lawrence street, now Thirty-fifth street. 
Wainwright street, now Thirty-sixth street. 
Dravo street, now Thirty-seventh street. 
Allen street, now Thirty-eighth street. 
Pike street, now Thirty-ninth street. 
Covington street, now Fortieth street. 
Fisk street, now, Forty-first street. 
Borough street, now Forty-second street. 
Chestnut street, now Forty-third street. 
Ewalt street, now Forty-fourth street. 
Bellefontaine street, now Forty-fifth street. 
St. Mary's avenue, now Forty-sixth street. 
Church street, now Forty-seventh street. 
Schoenberger street, now Forty-eighth street. 
Mill street, now Forty-ninth street. 
Lothrop street, now Fiftieth street. 
Jackson street, now Fifty-first street. 
First street, now First avenue. 
Second street, now Second avenue. 

[ 534 ] 



SOME PIONEER MEN AND OTHER MATTERS 

Third street, now Third avenue. 

Fifth street, now Fifth avenue (including extension). 
Sixth street, now Sixth avenue. 
Seventh street, now Seventh avenue. 
Butler, Ninth Ward, now Railroad street. 

Old Pennsylvania avenue, from Try street to Fifth avenue, to be 
called " Old Avenue." 

Peach alley, Third Ward, now Hickory. 

Ewalt street, Pitt township, now Birch. 

Chestnut, Lawrenceville, now Maple. 

Fisk, Seventh Ward, now Arch. 

Irwin, Lawrenceville, now Buckeye. 

Locust, Fifth Ward, now Juniata. 

Mulberry alley, Lawrenceville, now Blackberry alley. 

Plum alley. Third Ward, now Oak alley. 

Pike, Lawrenceville, now Garrison. 

Peach alley. Eighth Ward, now Quince. 

Reed, Lawrenceville, now Race. 

Spruce alley, Lawrenceville, now Hemlock alley. 

Union alley, Lawrenceville, now Ash alley. 

Union alley, Sixth Ward, now Crab alley. 

Webster street, Pittsburgh, now Webster avenue. 

Decatur street. First Ward, now Hazel street. 

Lower Washington street, Lawrenceville, now Hatfield. 

Upper Washington street, Lawrenceville, now Willow street. 

The Pittsburgh Institute of Arts and Sciences, incorpo- 
rated in 1838, may perhaps bear the same general relation- 
ship to the Academy of Science and Art, with Mr. James I. 
Buchanan as president, that the first Historical Society did 
to the present one. 

The Art Society was incorporated in 1873, and has been 
a great force in the development of the community. *' The 
high purpose of the founders of the Art Society has never 
been departed from; where, before, a few were gathered 
together to hear the songs of Schubert and the piano-forte 
music of Mendelssohn and Beethoven, there is now the 
Pittsburgh Orchestra and Wagner; and the last word 
from the prophet of the twenty-first century, Richard 
Strauss. The scattered pictures in our homes, studied and 
loved by the few, have brought forth the Carnegie Art 
Galleries. In this earnest work the Art Society is both 
parent and guide. ' ' 

The Mozart Club, organized in 1878, has had a con- 
tinuous existence and has educated the people in oratorio 
music. But long before the day of the Mozart Club, Jenny 

[ 535 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Lind had cliarmed her listeners, and Stephen Foster had 
brought tears to many eyes with the strange pathos of his 
simple melodies. Stephen C. Foster was born in Pitts- 
burgh, July fourth, 1826, in the old homestead at the junc- 
tion of Butler and Thirty-fourth streets. Very early his 
genius — for it was truly genius, became evident. When he 
was sixteen he wrote " Open Thy Lattice, Love." In 
1848 he went to Cincinnati to become a bookkeeper, and 
continued to write his wonderful songs, which are practi- 
cally the folk-music of the black race. While he was in 
Cincinnati he wrote " Oh Susannah " and *' Old Uncle 
Ned," which he gave to Mr. W. C. Peters, who made ten 
thousand dollars out of them. Then Foster returned to 
Pittsburgh and wrote *' Nelly was a Lady." He married 
Miss Jane D. McDowell, and the same year entered into a 
contract with Frish, Pond and Company, of New York, 
for the publication of all his writings with a royalty of 
three cents per copy, Pittsburgh seems to have been his 
load-star, for he very shortly came again and wrote his 
" Old Folks at Home." Then " Old Dog Tray," and 
'' My Old Kentucky Home," and " Massa's in the Cold, 
Cold Ground." All these songs are the epitome of music, 
utterly melodious though simple, and the whole of his life 
seems to have been a reflex from these simple ditties. He 
died in New York in 1864, and was brought home to be 
buried, with honor, by his fellow-townsmen, who have 
always thoroughly appreciated his talent, and by whom a 
monument was erected in one of the public parks in the 
Autumn of 1900, when they declared him to be the nation's 
greatest song writer. 

Also, two of the Nevin family are among Pittsburgh's 
best representatives in music. Ethelbert Nevin 's music is 
known over two continents, and Arthur Nevin is now gain- 
ing recognition outside his own precinct. 

As early as 1834 an attempt was made by Dr. James 
Spear, Stephen Colwell, and John Chislett to establish a 
rural cemetery. This, it will be remembered, was a pioneer 
movement in this direction, as in the entire country then, and 
for many years thereafter, there were only three general 
cemeteries. People buried in churchyards and in family 

[ 536 ] 




STEPHEN FOSTER, AUTHOR OF " SUWANEE EIVER "' AXD OTHER SONGS. 



SOME PIONEER MEN AND OTHER MATTERS 

burying grounds. Ten years passed, and it was forced 
upon the community that something must be done as the 
churchyards were almost filled. The outcome was the 
organization of a company, early in the Summer of 1844, 
which obtained a charter under the title of the Allegheny 
Cemetery Association. Richard Biddle was president, and 
the committee included Charles Avery, Thomas Bakewell, 
John H. Schoenberger, James R. Spear, Wilson McCand- 
less, Thomas M. Howe, Nathaniel Holmes, and Thomas J. 
Bingham. There was finally purchased from Mr. George 
A. Bayard one hundred acres of land, including a house and 
other improvements, for the sum of fifty thousand dollars. 
This was situated east of the '' Butler Road." The first 
public sale of lots was made on the twenty-sixth of Septem- 
ber. One hundred and seventy additional acres have been 
added at various times, making the total area of this bury- 
ing ground two hundred and seventy acres. The situation 
is truly lovely. Hills and dales and magnificent trees have 
all lent themselves readily to the skill of the landscape 
gardener, and, lying as it does to-day, in the heart of 
a busy, tumultuous city, it is large enough in itself to 
seclude those who '' lie quiet in their resting graves " from 
the rush of the throng outside. Fifteen more cemeteries 
have been located in various parts of the two cities, on the 
hills about Allegheny and South Side, and eastward. Home- 
wood Cemetery, which contains almost two hundred acres. 
Pittsburgh began her system of parks, through the gift of 
a woman, within the last few years. No city ever needed 
them more, with her crowded down town district, nor, in 
truth, did the adjacent topography of country ever offer 
more to a cit3% with the hills and valleys and great old trees. 
East of Pittsburgh's business district is high, rolling 
ground. Here lay the vast estate belonging to Mrs. Schen- 
ley. Three hundred acres she gave to the citizens to be 
used as a public park. One hundred and thirty-four acres 
she conveyed to them for the nominal sum of two hundred 
thousand dollars. Mr. E. M. Bigelow represented Pitts- 
burgh in this transaction in which the gracious lady met 
so generously the need of the city. Other plots have 
been added, making the area of Schenley Park about 

[ 537 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

seven hundred and fifty acres. Mrs. Schenley also be- 
stowed part of Riverview Park in Allegheny and added 
money to the park fund. It has been mentioned that she, 
with Mr. and Mrs. Harmar Denny, gave the site for the 
West Penn Hospital. Later she gave the site for the 
Blind Asylum, the site for the Newsboy's Home, and 
the old Block House and property. A very modest estimate 
of the value of the property that she has given would total 
between nine and ten million dollars. 

Up through the Liberty Valley, northeast, lies Highland 
Park on the hills overlooking the Allegheny river. On the 
top of the highest are the reservoirs which supply this 
district of the city. The park has been beautifully planned, 
with winding, shady drives stretching over the hills and 
down through the valleys, finally reaching Beechwood 
Boulevard, which broad way leads again to Schenley Park. 
The area of the city park system amounts to nine hundred 
and fifteen acres. 

Mrs. Schenley, whose name is a household word in Pitts- 
burgh, was the granddaughter of Gen. James O'Hara. 
Her mother, Mary O'Hara, married William Croghan, and 
being her mother's only heir, she inherited many of the 
broad acres that her grandfather, in his foresight and wis- 
dom, had purchased. Mrs. Schenley 's marriage was ex- 
tremely romantic. Her husband was a British officer, and 
consequently her home was England. Despite the fact that 
very little of her life had been connected with Pittsburgh, 
she took, always, a lively interest in the town, its affairs 
and growth. When word came of her death, which oc- 
curred on the fourth of November, 1903, Pittsburgh 
mourned sincerely, appreciating fully her unrivaled 
generosity. 

The modern Zoological Garden in Highland Park was the 
gift of the late C. L. Magee, and the Phipps Conservatory 
in Schenley Park the gift of Mr. Henry Phipps. 

The prominent clubs of the city are the Duquesne, with 
a membership of fifteen hundred, organized June eleventh, 
1873, incorporated November twenty-eighth, 1881; the 
Pittsburgh Club, organized April fifth, 1879; the Univer- 
sity Club, the Union Club, the Allegheny Country Club in 

[ 538 ] 




MBS. MARY SCHENLEY. 



SOME PIONEER MEN AND OTHER MATTERS 

Sewickley and the Country Club, Pittsburgh. The Ameri- 
cus Republican Club, political, organized in August, 1884, 
and incorporated in 1886, has a very large membership. 

The women's clubs are essentially different in their 
objective point, the men's being purely social with, per- 
haps, a small admixture of business, while the Twentieth 
Century Club is philanthropic, civic, and literary. It was 
organized in 1894. The Wimodausis, the Concordia, the 
Business Woman's, the Women's Press Club, and others 
are organizations which show the tendency of the women of 
the day, not only to study but to take up those problems of 
civic life which make for the betterment of the race. 

The incentive to organize a concert orchestra in Pitts- 
burgh came with Andrew Carnegie's gift to the city of a 
building that should contain a library, art gallery, museum, 
and music hall. The Art Society of Pittsburgh, organized 
in 1873, undertook to raise the funds to support an 
orchestra for three years. Carnegie Library building was 
dedicated November first, 1895, and the first season of the 
orchestra was inaugurated in Carnegie Music Hall, Feb- 
ruary twenty-seventh, 1896. 

The Art Society has requested of the public yearly 
guarantees of a certain minimum total, in periods of three 
years each, and these three-year periods have each repre- 
sented the term for which a certain conductor was engaged. 
The guarantors, whose number varies from year to year, 
make themselves responsible to the Art Society. The 
board of directors of the Art Society, in turn, appoints an 
Orchestra Committee from among Art Society members, 
who are also guarantors of the orchestra, and this com- 
mittee has entire charge of its affairs. 

The increase in the activities and general scope of the 
orchestra, as indicated by the statistics herewith, naturally 
were accompanied by increased expenses : The first year 
the total guarantee was twenty-five thousand dollars; each 
year since, the total guarantee has been increased until for 
the three-year term, beginning with the season 1904-05, the 
total amount guaranteed was forty thousand dollars, for 
each of three years, this last guarantee representing sums 
from one hundred and twenty-five to five hundred dollars 

1 539 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

and exhibiting the public spirit of one hundred and twenty- 
eight people. It may be said that Pittsburgh has willingly 
subscribed a quarter of a million dollars for the sake of sup- 
porting an orchestra that shall serve an educational pur- 
pose in this part of the country and hold a high musical 
standard. The active season covers twenty weeks. The 
first conductor was Frederic Archer, who served three 
years; he was succeeded by Victor Herbert, who served six 
years. Mr. Herbert was followed by Emil Paur who, in 
November, 1904, entered upon a contract for three years. 

During the last four or five years, the Pittsburgh 
Orchestra has exerted a strong influence in such cities as 
Cleveland, Buffalo, Toledo, and Detroit, and particularly 
in Toronto, Canada. It may truthfully be said that what 
the Pittsburgh Orchestra has created in these cities has 
opened the eyes of the eastern orchestras so that now these 
towns are honored with the visits yearly of the Boston Sym- 
phony, the New York Symphony, as well as with this organ- 
ization, all of which is beneficial to the several communities, 
and makes Pittsburgh glad that she can lend a hand in such 
a development. 

The first Orchestra Committee of the Art Society was 
composed of Beveridge Webster, chairman ; John Caldwell, 
Thomas C. Lazear, W. C. Lyne, and Charles W. Scovel. 
The original subscribers to the fund for the support of the 
orchestra for three years were: D. Herbert Hostetter, 
H. C. Frick, John B. Jackson, William McConway, William 
L. Abbott, C. B. Shea, B. Frank Weyman, Reuben Miller, 
E. M. Ferguson, John G. Holmes, Thomas C. Jenkins, J. E. 
Schwartz, C. L. Magee, Robert Pitcairn, Durbin Home, 
George M. Laughlin, J. J. Vandergrift, George Westing- 
house, Jr., William N. Frew, Joseph Albree, Charles B. 
McLean, Joseph T. Speer, and Edward A. Woods. 

A mere statistical report is an account of the origin and 
growth of an orchestra, but it is not its real story; that 
lies in the response found in the music-loving souls of those, 
who are the rich of the earth, whom God permits to enjoy, 
in answer to their needs, all the things He has made beau- 
tiful. 

[ 540 ] 



SOME PIONEER MEN AND OTHER MATTERS 

Libraries. 

While Pittsburgh flourished in manufacturing and com- 
merce, the need for improvement in home life and the de- 
sire for knowledge was evidenced early, and libraries and 
book stores became a feature of the town. In the Pitts- 
burgh Gazette of July twenty-sixth, 1788, announcement 
was made that ''As soon as one hundred subscribers can 
be procured a Circulating Library will be opened in the 
town of Pittsburgh ; the following are the terms : 

" 1. This Library will consist of five hundred well 
chosen books, catalogues of which will be given to each 
subscriber, gratis. 

' ' 2. Every subscriber to pay the sum of twenty shillings 
per annum, in specie, one-half at the time of subscribing, 
the remainder at the expiration of six months. 

" 3. No subscriber to keep any book longer than fifteen 
days^ nor to take out more than two books at a time, except 
where subscribers dwell at a distance, in which case 
sufficient allowance will be made. 

"4. In case a book is returned abused, the person return- 
ing it to pay for whatever damage it may have sustained. 

' ' 5. The proprietor engages to furnish to the subscribers 
all the new publications on America, the different maga- 
zines, museums, etc., throughout the continent, and all the 
political and other pamphlets, published in, or interesting 
to, the State of Pennsylvania. 

" Those who wish to become subscribers are requested 
immediately to send in their names to the subscriber at 
the printing office. 

" John Boyd." 

There was sufficient response to this announcement to 
induce Boyd to inaugurate the library. How it throve is 
a matter of conjecture, as no further information concern- 
ing it is available. There is, however, record during the 
next few years of other circulating libraries which met 
with varying degrees of success. 

The first notice of books in the town for sale, appeared in 
the Gazette shortly after its establishment; it read, "At 

[ 541 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

tlie printing office, Pittsburgh, may be bad the laws of this 
State, passed between the thirtieth of September, 1775, and 
the Revolution; New Testament; Dilworth's Spelling 
Books; New England Primers, with Catechism; West- 
minster Shorter Catechism; a Journey from Philadelphia 
to New York by way of Burlington and South Amboy, by 
Robert Slenner, Stocking Weaver; blank ledgers, journals, 
and receipt books ; also a few books for the learner of the 
French language." 

The first shop in which books only were sold, west of the 
Allegheny mountains, was established by John Gilkinson, un- 
der the patronage of Judge H. H. Brackenridge, some time 
between 1795 and 1800 ; but Mr. Gilkinson died very soon, and 
the store passed to Judge Brackenridge, who, in the year 
1800, sold it to a young man named Zadoc Cramer. The 
bookshop, which had become somewhat disordered, was 
soon put into better condition and considerably enlarged by 
Mr. Cramer. The next year Zadoc Cramer announced in 
the Pittsburgh Gazette, of June eleventh, that because of 
" repeated solicitations he had been induced to issue pro- 
posals to establish a Circulating Library upon the following 
conditions : Subscribers to pay one dollar per month, two 
dollars for three months, three and a half for six months, or 
five dollars for twelve months. Subscribers not to have 
more than one set of books at a time, to be returned in 
four days, or a forfeiture of six cents per day for every 
day's detention thereafter. Country subscribers to have 
two sets to be retained not longer than two weeks. Any 
book being lost or in the least damaged, the whole set must 
be taken and paid for at the selling price. ' ' 

The library was to be open Mondays, Wednesdays and 
Fridays from nine to one in the morning, and from two to 
six in the afternoon. Cramer further stated that subscrip- 
tions would be received at his bookstore until July first, and 
if at this time sufficient subscribers had been obtained, he 
would open the library. Evidently a sufficient number of 
subscribers were enrolled, for in the Gazette of January 
first, 1802, Cramer says : ' ' Grateful thanks are due to the 
patronizers of this institution, and it has been observed 
with pleasure that a number of new subscribers have been 

[ 542 ] 



SOME PIONEER MEN AND OTHER MATTERS 

added since its commencement, which is only about six 
months. ' ' 

Zadoc Cramer was born in New Jersey, about 1775, and 
when still a boy came to the AVestern country, served an 
apprenticeship in the printing and bookbinding business in 
the town of Washington, and was noted even then for the 
" correctness and propriety of his deportment." A little 
later he came to Pittsburgh, opened and built up a book- 
binding business of his own. The period of his usefulness 
was unfortunately not long; being rather delicate, a too 
close attention to business gradually impaired his health, 
and during the last four or five years of his life his time 
had to be spent chiefly travelling in search of health. 
Still under forty when he died, he had paid a debt of useful- 
ness to the society of which he was a member, which might 
have been due from a much longer life. 

The establishment of a circulating library was not the 
only public benefit due to Cramer, as he, at an early date, 
set up a press and began the printing of books. Prior to 
the time of his printing house, school books, as well as all 
other books, had been carried over the mountains ; but after 
Cramer set up his press, spelling books, gramm^ars, English 
readers, arithmetics, and a variety of others adapted to 
schools were printed in Pittsburgh and circulated through- 
out the Western country. Cramer observed the lack of 
some convenient guidebook for those navigating the western 
waters, and compiled in 1802, the Navigator, which ran into 
many editions. At about the same time, in conjunction with 
the Reverend John Taylor, he commenced the Pittshurgh 
Almanac, which his contemporaries pronounced the " most 
popular " in the Western country, and further that '' in- 
stead of vapid tales and insipid anecdotes it contains in- 
teresting and useful notices of the improvements in argri- 
culture, manufactures and trade, moral maxims, and a 
variety of useful knowledge." Being successful in his 
ventures, he was induced, in 1805, to attempt something 
more pretentious and undertook the publication of 
" Brown's Dictionary of the Bible," which was brought to a 
successful completion, and netted Cramer a handsome profit. 
Encouraged by his success, this work was followed by a 

[ 543 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

large number of others, the majority of them good works, 
Cramer supplied the retailers in many of the principal 
western towns with books. 

The earliest location of Cramer's bookstore is unknown. 
In 1802, however, it was on Market street " between the 
printing offices." In 1810, Cramer announced that, being 
convinced of the uprightness and integrity of the character 
and conduct of Mr. John Spear and Mr. William Eichbaum^ 
he had that day, April sixteenth, 1810 (Pittsburgh Com- 
moniuealth) , taken them into a complete partnership, and 
that in the future the business would be carried on under 
the name of Cramer, Spear and Eichbaum, at the Franklin 
Head Bookstore, Market street, between Front and Second 
streets. At this period houses were unnumbered and stores 
had only their particular sign to distinguish them; Cramer's 
had the head of Benjamin Franklin. Another project of his 
was a monthly magazine, entitled '" Western Gleaner or Re- 
pository for Arts, Sciences and Literature." This was 
thoroughly advertised, as were all his books. 

The efforts that had been made to supply the reading 
population with material were evidently adequate for the 
succeeding few years. There appears also to have been 
some thought of literature for the use of the children and 
youth of the town. In fact, interest in the intellectual wel- 
fare of the community developed into what must have been, 
in those times, an almost popular opportunity for education 
and enlightenment. In an issue of the Commomvealth, 
March, 1812, there appeared a notice of rather a unique 
library : 

" The Public 

Are respectfully reminded that Mr. Thomas Davis, 
in Fourth Street, between Wood and Market, has 
taken into his care a small Circulating Library for the 
benefit of the children and youth of this town and vicinit}". 
Terms of access to this library will be made easy to all, but 
especially to such as will abstain from immorality of eveiy 
kind and read a portion of the scriptures every day. Mr. 
Davis will keep on hand assorted pieces for children and 
some tracts and instructive papers designed for the amuse- 
ment and improvement of all classes of the community. 

[ 544 ] 



SOME PIONEER MEN AND OTHER MATTERS 

Some of these tracts and papers will be given gratis ; others 
exchanged for cash, rags, or anything which printers or 
bookbinders will take towards furnishing more books to be 
disposed of in the same manner." 

Patterson and Hopkins had a bookstore at the corner of 
Wood and Fourth streets as early as 1811. In 1813, they 
published the Honest Man's Almanac. The calendar pages 
were calculated by the Reverend John Taylor, who was cele- 
brated for his success in foretelling the weather. " This 
Almanac contains nothing to encourage evil practices or 
liars, drunkards and rogues, lazy fellows; infidels, tories, 
cowards, bad husbands and old bachelors." It also gave a 
directory of the principal merchants, manufacturers, law- 
yers, doctors and magistrates. Later the firm of Patterson 
and Hopkins merged into the firm of R. & J. Patterson. 

The Commonivealth, of April seventh, 1812, of which Mr. 
John Snowden was the editor, contained the following: 

" New Bookstoee. 

" John M. Snowden, Market Street, between Third and 
Fourth Streets, Pittsburgh, has just received and is now 
opening, a general assortment of books, which he will sell 
wholesale and retail on the most liberal terms. Family, 
School, and pocket Bibles, spelling books, primers and arith- 
metics assorted, blank books of every description, writing, 
wrapping and other paper at the Mill prices. Country 
Merchants, library companies and professional gentlemen 
who may please to furnish him with their orders shall have 
them promptly executed. Five cents per lb. will be given 
for rags in cash, paper or books. 

''April 7th, 1812." 

William R. Thompson opened a circulating library in 
Union street, on the eighth of July, 1813. Mr. Thompson 
evidently had a very hard time, for he makes the following 
open complaint in the Gazette of October thirteenth, 1813 : 

' ' Circulating Library. 
*' The subscriber grateful for the encouragement he has 
already met with (though God knows it is very little), and 
35 [ 545 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

anxious to contribute all in his power to the amusement and 
information of his patrons, has the pleasure of informing 
them and the public, that he has considerably enlarged his 
library and has printed catalogues ready for distribution ; 
at the same time he must make them acquainted gratis with 
the discovery that he has made in his capacity of librarian, 
viz : That there are still many books wanted to satisfy the 
diversity of taste in his readers, and that these cannot be 
procured without money, now being himself as poor as a 
first rate genius, he is constrained to call upon the opulent 
to furnish him with the needful, assuring them that he will 
lay out to the best advantage in books all that he receives 
for that purpose, except what must indispensibly go to the 
baker, etc., for selfish purposes. W. R. Thompson. 

'' P. S. Such subscribers as have not already paid the 
first six months subscription are requested to call and make 
payment as they are held responsible whether they have or 
have not had recourse to the library. ' ' 

The Pittsburgh Library Company flourished for some 
years, but in the year 1814, it was united with the Pittsburgh 
Permanent Library Company. 

The first recorded meeting of the Pittsburgh Permanent 
Library Company was held at the house of William McCul- 
lough, on Saturday, November twenty-seventh, 1813. Sam- 
uel Roberts was in the chair, and Charles Wilkins acted as 
secretary. It was resolved that the Reverend Francis Her- 
ron, Messrs. James O'Hara, William Wilkins, Anthony 
Beelen, and Aquila M. Bolton " be a committee to frame a 
constitution of the association and report the same at the 
next meeting of the company," and that Messrs. Bolton, 
BoUman, Spear, and Charles Wilkins *' be a committee to 
confer with the Old Pittsburgh Library Company upon the 
propriety and method of forming a coalition of the two 
institutions, and report the result of their proceedings at 
the next meeting." 

The Constitution was accordingly prepared, and the libra- 
rian was ordered to commence the letting of books on Fri- 
day, the fifteenth of April, 1814, in the room appropriated 
for that purpose, in the court house, every Tuesday and 
Thursday, from five until eight p. m., and on Saturday from 

[ 546 ] 



SOME PIONEER MEN AND OTHER MATTERS 

three until eight p. m. The Reverend Francis Herron was 
president of the board of directors ; A. M. Bolton, secretary ; 
John Spear, treasurer. The directors were : George Poe, 
James Lea, Benjamin B. Bakewell, Samuel Roberts, Walter 
Forward, Lewis Bollman, Robert Patterson, John M, Snow- 
den, Dr. J. Reynolds, J. B. Trevor, William Wilkins, and 
Henry Baldwin. The library was financed by the contribu- 
tions of ten dollars, from a few individuals, and by the loan 
of a certain number of books. The annual fee was five 
dollars. The triennial meeting of the shareholders was 
convened at their new library room, in Second street, oppo- 
site Squire Graham's office, at six o'clock, Monday evening, 
December thirtieth, 1816. '' The President being absent 
Mr. Bakewell was appointed chairman for the evening. The 
secretary laid before the meeting a report from the Board 
of Directors by which it appeared that the receipts of the 
company from the conunencement of the institution in De- 
cember, 1813, amounted to one thousand and forty dollars; 
that the payment of the company for books and contingent 
expenses since that period amounted to nine hundred and 
fifty-eight dollars and ninety-eight cents, leaving a balance 
in the treasury of eighty-one dollars and two cents. The 
following gentlemen were then elected by ballot to serve as 
a Board of Directors for the ensuing three years, viz: 
George Poe, president ; Aquila M. Bolton, secretary ; Lewis 
Bollman, treasurer ; James Lea, Benjamin Bakewell, Robert 
Patterson, Walter Forward, Alexander Johnson, Jr., Wil- 
liam Eichbaum, Jr., Benjamin Page, Alexander McClurg, 
J. P. Skelton, Ephraim Pentland, Charles Avery, J. R. 
Lambdin, directors. By order of the meeting, A. M. Bolton, 
Sec'y." 

During the Summer of 1816 David Thomas, a noted trav- 
eller, visited Pittsburgh. Mr. Thomas stated that he had 
been informed that the public library contained two thou- 
sand volumes, but upon visiting it, through the politeness 
of J. Armstrong, librarion, and examining the catalogue, he 
found the whole collection to be only about five hundred 
volumes. He said, however, that the books were well chosen 
and of the best editions. 

Mr. Joseph Albree, president of the Mercantile Library 

- [ 547 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

Association of Pittsburgh, stated, in his Twenty-second 
Annual Report, that the first record of the association car- 
ried the date of July thirteenth, 1847, signed by twenty- 
three people, setting forth the advantages of a public 
library and reading room, and pledging themselves, each 
to the other, to exert themselves for the permanent and 
final success of their object. That same year the annals 
show that Samuel M. Wickersham was the president, and 
that rooms had been rented in the second story of a build- 
ing on Market street, between Third and Fourth streets. 
A charter was procured in 1849. The association not only 
controlled the library but brought various lecturers, among 
whom was Ralph Waldo Emerson, in 1851. He delivered 
a course of lectures which were received with much en- 
thusiasm. The library of the Historical Society of Western 
Pennsylvania later came into the possession of the associa- 
tion. The erection of Library Hall was accomplished in 
1867-70. It was erected by a company denominated the 
Mercantile Library Hall Company. The same year a be- 
quest of five thousand dollars was made to the association 
by Ebenezer Brewster, in recognition of which certain 
alcoves in the library have since been known as the 
Brewster Alcoves. In 1864 the association begged of the 
Legislature for '' a supplement to the act to incorporate 
The Young Men's Mercantile Library Association and 
Mechanics Institute," in order to accomplish their con- 
solidation. The report of 1873 tells the same story that 
came from the other institutions during that year, lack of 
progress owing to lack of funds. So many years did this 
library serve the people of Pittsburgh that to come to the 
day when it could no longer face competition, nor meet the 
heavy rents of the city, is a pitiful one. It was carried 
over the Monongahela, high up over the Bluff and 
back to the village of Knoxville, and there sequestered in 
part of the second story of one of the public school build- 
ings. Here are many valuable files of the early news- 
papers of Pittsburgh not to be found elsewhere; here are 
many volumes that appertain to the early life of the people 
of this district. Its use continues, in a way, under Mr. 
Graham, who has been loyal to it from the days of its prime 

[ 548 ] 




'ii'!i^^^^ 




ANDEKSON LIBEABY, ALLEGHENY, 1858; ESTABLISHED 1850. THE 
SOUKCE OF INSPIRATION FOR THE CARNEGIE LIBRARIES. 



SOME PIONEER MEN AND OTHER MATTERS 

to the days of its seclusion, for a certain number of the 
periodicals are purchased and the school children enjoy 
them. Occasionally some one else steps in, and it always 
results in a chat about the indignities put upon the Young 
Men's Mercantile Library by an unappreciative and 
thoughtless community. 

Col. Anderson little realized how vast was to be the 
influence of the library he established in 1850, and named 
" The James Anderson Library Institute of Allegheny 
City," which consisted of the books of his own library, 
offered to all who desired to use them. Its first home was 
the second floor of a building on the southeast corner of 
Federal street and the Diamond. The prominent citizens 
of the town acted as a board of directors, and this popular 
institute was open to visitors Tuesdays and Saturdays 
from seven to nine-thirty p. m. from March first until Octo- 
ber first, and from six to nine p. m. from October first to 
March first. The library was closed through the Civil War 
and the books stored in the basement of City Hall. It 
reopened in 1865. The place was popular with boys, and 
was particularly attractive to a special boy. Here he came 
in his few leisure hours and read and read. He was not 
a boy inclined to talk but was very busy. This boy, who 
loved books and was so busy, grew up very much as he 
promised, and then, because he was grateful to the Colonel, 
even after many years, for lending him his books when he 
was a boy and had none of his own, he ordered a certain 
great sculptor to make a portrait bust of Colonel Anderson, 
and beneath was put the figure of a man which personified 
work, and this was erected close by a great stone building 
over whose entrance is graven ' ' Carnegie Library, Free to 
the People." 

The Anderson Library is still maintained in its integrity, 
occupying the first floor of the new High School annex at 
Arch and Erie streets. There still remain about four 
hundred of the original books, but several thousand more 
have been added. So even to-day, Col. Anderson's library 
continues to help the boys and girls who desire it. 

In 1881 Mr. Andrew Carnegie offered Pittsburgh two 
hundred and fifty thousand dollars for a free public lib- 

[ 549 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

rary, on condition that the city appropriate fifteen thousand 
dollars a year for its maintenance. The selection of the 
site, erection of the building, and management of the library 
were to be entrusted to a committee of ten well-known 
citizens of Allegheny county, to be named by Mr. Carnegie. 
For legal and other reasons this gift was not then accepted. 

Meantime there was a sentiment growing in the neighbor- 
ing city of Allegheny in favor of accepting the gift should 
the offer go in that direction. Accordingly, on May thir- 
teenth, 1886, Mr. George W. Snaman presented a resolu- 
tion in the City Council offering to Mr. Carnegie the Third 
Ward Diamond Square (two hundred and twelve by two 
hundred and twelve feet) as a site for a free library, the 
city agreeing to appropriate fifteen thousand dollars a 
year in case Mr. Carnegie should agree to expend five hun- 
dred thousand dollars on the building. To this offer Mr. 
Carnegie replied that he would expend two hundred and 
fifty thousand dollars, as he thought the sum sufficient for 
the time being. He afterwards increased his gift, how- 
ever, to three hundred thousand dollars. 

In drafting the library ordinance, by some oversight, the 
amount to be appropriated by the city annually was not 
specified, but was worded rather indefinitely as a '' suffi- 
cient amount annually." However, the tacit understand- 
ing, both on the part of Mr. Carnegie and the citizens of 
Allegheny, was that not less than fifteen thousand dollars 
was to be the city's yearly appropriation. As a matter of 
fact, it has never been less than that amount since the 
library opened. 

A building commission was formed, composed of Henry 
Phipps, Jr., John Walker, James B. Scott, and Richard C. 
Gray, representing Mr. Carnegie, and Hugh L. Fleming 
(Adam Ammon was appointed to succeed Mr. Fleming, 
who died in July, 1887), Arthur Kennedy, Thomas A. 
Parke, and George W. Snaman, representing the city of 
Allegheny. 

Mr. Scott devoted much time to the work, and largely 
through his attention and energy the building was com- 
pleted in a little less than two years and six months from 
the time ground was broken. The building is a massive 

[ 550 ] 



SOME PIONEER MEN AND OTHER MATTERS 

structure of gray granite in Romanesque style, and was 
designed by Mr. Paul J. Pelz, of the former firm of Smith- 
meyer & Pelz, of Washington. The building contained 
originally the following principal divisions: library sec- 
tion, art gallery, lecture-room, and music hall. 

The management and control of the library is vested in 
a committee composed of sixteen members of the City 
Council, twelve of whom are appointed by the president 
of the common branch and four by the president of the 
select branch of councils. 

The presidents of the two bodies are ex-officio members. 
This committee elects the librarian and his assistants, who 
must, since 1893, first have passed a competitive examina- 
tion in writing and be recommended for appointment by 
the librarian. Mr. W. M. Stevenson was the first librarian, 
and was succeeded by Mr. E. E. Eggers, the present in- 
cumbent. 

Allegheny was already enjoying the benefit of Mr. 
Carnegie's gift; it was not until 1886 that it was decided 
by Pittsburgh that proper legislation could be procured, 
incorporating his letter of 1881, accepting his proposition 
and complying with his conditions. His first offer was of 
two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for a free library, 
the city appropriating annually the sum of fifteen thousand 
dollars for the maintenance thereof. The act was passed 
in 1887 by the Legislature, and this was reported to Mr. 
Carnegie. This brought an answer in the winter of 1890 
in which he said that, owing to the great growth of the 
city, he now offered to expend not less than one million 
dollars for buildings which should contain reference and 
circulating libraries, art galleries, and assembly rooms for 
the various educational and scientific societies, and a 
museum, suggesting at the same time the erection of branch 
library buildings. He further proposed placing the erec- 
tion and control of these buildings in the hands of a board 
of trustees of eighteen members, nine to be named by him- 
self and the other nine to comprise the Mayor, the presi- 
dents of the Select and Common Councils, the president 
of the Central Board of Education, and five members of 
the City Councils; the condition thereto attached was that 

[ 551 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

the city should bind itself to place in the hands of the 
board of trustees forty thousand dollars each and every 
year for the maintenance of the library system. The city 
passed the ordinance accepting this proposition on the 
thirty-first of May, 1890. James B. Scott was chosen first 
president of the trustees ; H. C. Frick, treasurer, and W. N. 
Frew, secretary. The plans offered by Longfellow, Alden, 
and Harlowe were adopted. Mr. Carnegie generously 
added another one hundred thousand dollars when it was 
decided to build of stone instead of brick. The Central 
Library building was placed on part of nineteen acres of 
park land which had been recently acquired from Mrs. 
Schenley, and fronted on Forbes street facing Bellefield 
avenue. The building was dedicated to public use on 
Tuesday, November fifth, 1895, with great ceremony. Mr. 
Carnegie was present, and the occasion was graced by the 
President of the United States. So great was the need for 
this institution that within two years it was realized that 
it must be enlarged. This was delayed through the in- 
ability to procure the needed ground, and it was not until 
the July of 1904 that the contract for the extension of the 
main library building was let. This enlargement has been 
of such immense proportion that two years more have been 
occupied accomplishing it. It is, however, not so much the 
mere massive, splendid building that is the home of the 
Carnegie Institute, the cost for the construction of which 
has amounted to over six millions of dollars, but the actual 
work, the people whom it has reached, benefited, and 
elevated, that is to be estimated. 

The library has recently completed the first decade of its 
existence, and a few statistics may be of interest, showing 
the remarkable growth of the institution in those years. 
During the first full year it was open, 1896, the appropria- 
tion, which covered the cost of maintaining the rooms of 
the art galleries, museum, and music hall, was sixty-five 
thousand dollars, the circulation was one hundred and 
fifteen thousand, eight hundred and ninety-four volumes, 
and the total use of books in and out of the building was one 
hundred and sixty-eight thousand four hundred and fifteen. 
During the year just closed (January thirty-first, 1905), 

[ 552 ] 



SOME PIONEER MEN AND OTHER MATTERS 

the appropriation, which included the items enumerated 
above, was one hundred and fifty-eight thousand dollars. 

When the library opened in November, 1895, it had only 
one building, the Central Library in Schenley Park, its 
collection of volumes numbering sixteen thousand, and the 
number of persons on the clerical staff, sixteen. At the 
l^resent time the library system includes one Central 
Library, six branch libraries, housed in convenient and 
attractive buildings, erected especially for the purpose, 
eleven deposit stations, and one special children's room in 
the settlement house of the Soho Bath House Committee. 
It has also conducted during the year and supplied with 
books three " home library " groups and forty-nine read- 
ing clubs of boys and girls who live in districts remote from 
the central or branch libraries. It sends collections of 
books to fifty-six schools, where they may be borrowed by 
the pupils for home use in addition to being used in the 
class rooms; and in the summer, supplies the playgrounds 
with small circulating libraries and assistants to distribute 
the books. Through these one hundred and sixty-eight 
agencies it has circulated six hundred and sixty-one thou- 
sand eight hundred and ninety-one volumes during 1905, 
while the total recorded use of books and magazines was 
one million three hundred and eighty-eight thousand, nine 
hundred and sixty. The number of persons regularly 
employed on the clerical staff is one hundred and six, not 
including the superintendent of buildings and his staff. 
In addition to paid employees about seventy-eight other 
persons assist in the work, including the students in the 
Training School for Children's Librarians, the members of 
the apprentice class and the workers in the " home lib- 
raries " and reading clubs, who give their services to the 
library for this work. The total number of books in the 
central and branch libraries, and all other parts of 
the system, is now two hundred and twenty-five thousand. 

The remarkable work this library has done for children 
is so widely known that it is unnecessary to dwell upon it. 
It has not waited for the children to come to it, but has 
gone out into the byways and alleys and established read- 
ing clubs among boys and girls who would never otherwise 

[ 553 ] 



THE HISTORY OF PITTSBURGH 

have known the elevating influence of good books. In this 
it has worked hand in hand with philanthropic and char- 
itable associations. It has established a Training School 
for Children's Librarians, which is the only one of the kind 
in the world. 

In other words, the Carnegie Library, of Pittsburgh, has 
in ten years taken its rank as one of the first libraries in the 
country. This is due to the great ability of Mr. E. H. An- 
derson, librarian. He possessed, in rare proportion, knowl- 
edge, energy, and practicality. After ten years ' service, to 
the regret of the city, he resigned. 

Miss Willard, the reference librarian, has brought to her 
task, just those talents and accomplishments which have 
enabled her to constantly build up her department. 

The Museum is a large department in the Carnegie In- 
stitute. It has from the beginning been under the care of 
Dr. W. J. Holland and his assistants. Their scientific work 
is given world-wide recognition. Various scientific expedi- 
tions have been sent out by the museum. This is, naturally, 
only possible because of the special patronage of Mr. Car- 
negie. In this way was discovered the great prehistoric 
monster, Diplodocus, the restoration of wliich has been com- 
pleted and a plaster copy made and presented to the British 
Museum. 

The Museum, like the Library, with technical experts, 
ministers to the teaching of children as well as to the 
scientific research of men. 

The Art Galleries have done much to develop the art of 
America. The purpose here is to assemble each year a 
representative collection of contemporaneous works, which 
makes possible the study of the tendencies of modern art, as 
shown by the living painters of all countries. Some of the 
European painters have asserted that within these galleries, 
during the Annual Exhibition, the most comprehensive view 
of modern art may be found, for here are gathered the 
pictures of the artists of all nations. Advisory committees 
representing the Carnegie Institute meet in London, Paris, 
Munich, and The Hague for the purpose of considering and 
accepting paintings for the exhibition, and all works thus 
submitted are presented to the international jury, created 

[ 554 ] 



SOME PIONEER MEN AND OTHER MATTERS 

by the votes of all the painters who offer their pictures. 
This plan for the election of the jury was adopted by the 
Institute, in 1897, and has resulted in bringing to Pitts- 
burgh, each year, two painters from abroad, and eight from 
America. This year brought two eminent men from 
America. 

The number of works offered to the Institute for this 
year was 1,315, an increase over last year of 601, but the 
total number accepted by the Advisory Committees abroad, 
and the International Jury, at Pittsburgh, comprised a total 
of only 287. 

Under the scope of the work of the Carnegie Institute 
are the free organ recitals, given through the season, 
every Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon, on the great 
organ in Music Hall, played by one or another of the emi- 
nent organists of the world. Mr. Archer was for years 
organist, and also, Mr. Lemaire, That this is an appre- 
ciated department of the Institute is evidenced by the great, 
quiet, orderly audiences, who come for that solace which 
music and only music can give. 

All this has been made possible by the generosity of one 
man. Such lavishness is indeed unique in the history of 
mankind, for Mr. Carnegie has given to the city of Pitts- 
burgh, in buildings and additions thereto and endowments 
thereof, the total sum of $11,620,000. Truly, it is a wonder- 
ful city that has produced a man, who can make to her such 
magnificent return. 



[ 555 ] 



INDEX 



INDEX 



Chronology v 

Sources xvii 



FRONTIER TIMES. 

1716-1794. 

Amherst, Sir JeflFrey, orders Col. Bouquet to relieve Fort Pitt, 40. 
Beaujeu, commander of French at Braddock's defeat, 24; death of, 27. 
Bouquet, Col. Henry, 38; ordered to relieve Fort Pitt, 40; expedition of, 46; 

voted thanks by legislative bodies of Pennsylvania and Virginia, 50. 
Brackenridge, Judge H. H., in the Whiskey Insurrection, 61 ; his description 

of Pittsburgh, 93. 
Braddock, Gen., despatched to Virginia, 19; defeat of, 24; grave of, 25. 
Brienville, Celeron de, expedition of, 3. 
Brodhead, Col. Daniel, commands Fort Pitt, 57. 
Bushy Run, battle of, 43. 

Connolly, Capt. John, of Virginia, takes possession of Fort Pitt, 52. 
Contrecoeur, French commander, compels surrender of English at forks of 

Ohio, 14; completes English fort, 15. 
Craig, Major Isaac, builds Fort Fayette, 59 (see also pp. 80, 121, 518). 
Dinwiddle, Gov., orders Washington to take command of the forks of the 

Ohio, 13. 
Dunmore, Lord, Governor of Virginia, orders Capt. Jno. Connolly to take 

possession of Fort Pitt, 52. 
Duquesne, Fort, completion of, 15; description of, 17; evacuated by French, 31. 
Ecuyer, Capt. Simeon, commander of Fort Pitt, 38; demolishes and burns 

Pittsburgh, 40. 
English and French in North America, 1688, 1; first attempt at settlement 

west of Alleghenies, 1; commence fort at forks of Ohio, 14; surrender 

fort to French, 14; campaign against French, 19; campaigns of 1756, 1757, 

1758, 28; campaign of 1760, 36. 
Erection of western forts by French, 4. 
Fayette, Fort, built, 59. 
Forbes, Gen. John, appointed by William Pitt to take Fort Duquesne, 29; 

his march to Fort Duquesne, 29 ; ta kes possession of Fort Duquesne, 3 1 ; 

death of, 35. 

[ 557 ] 



INDEX 

French and English claims to territory west of Alleghenies, 1-4. 

Gist, Christopher, sent to explore and survey lands on the Ohio, 4; acta as 

agent for Ohio Land Co., 4; as George Washington's guide, 8. 
Grant, Major, disastrous engagement of, 29. 
Half -King (Tanacharison), returns speech belt to French, 9; holds council 

of war with Washington, 15. 
Harmar, Gen., his expedition to the Maumee, 58. 
Irvine, Gen. William, commands Fort Pitt, 58, 77. 
Joncaire, Capt., Washington's visit to, 10. 

Keith, Governor of Pennsylvania, urges erection of fort on Lake Erie, 2. 
Lancaster, treaty at, 3. 
Little Meadows, battle of, 15. 
Logs town, treaty at, 4. 

Mercer, Col. Hugh, builds first Fort Pitt, 35. 
Necessity, Fort, surrendered to French, 16. 
Neville, John, as Captain, commands Fort Pitt, 54; as General, active in the 

Whiskey Insurrection, 61. 
Ohio Land Company, organization of, 3; despatches Washington to French 

commander at headwaters of Ohio, 5. 
Pennsylvania and Virginia boundary controversy, 52. 
Pitt, William, Prime Minister of England, 28; appoints Gen. Forbes to take 

Fort Duquesne, 29. 
Pitt, Fort, first, built, 35; second, built, 36; commanders of, 38; dismantled, 

52 (see also p. 75); taken by Capt. John Connolly of Virginia, 52; 

renamed " Fort Dunmore," 52 ; commanded by Capt. John Neville, 54 ; 

during the Revolution, 56. 
Pittsburgh, beginning of, 1 ; first uses of name, 33, 65 ; site of, included in 

lands purchased by the Penns, 51 ; declared in Augusta county, Virginia, 

52; created into a borough, 64 (see also p. 114). 
Pontiac, conspiracy of, 38. 

Provinces endeavor to provide for the defense of the frontier, 18. 
Spotswood, Governor of Virginia, attempts to extend English settlements 

west, 1. 
Stanwix, Gen. John, succeeds Gen. Forbes, 36; builds second Fort Pitt, 36. 
Stanwix, Fort, treaty at, 51. 
St. Clair, Arthur, defeated by Indians, 58. 

St. Pierre, Legardeur de, commander of Le Boeuf, receives Washington, 10. 
Trent, Capt. William, commences fort on site of Pittsburgh, 14. 
Virginia, grants ten thousand pounds for protection of frontier, 13. 
Ward, Edward, ensign, surrenders to Contrecoeur, 14. 
Washington, George, despatched to headwaters of the Ohio, 1753, 5; builds 

Fort Necessity, 16; his journal of expedition in 1753-54, 8; delivers 

letter of French commandant, 13; his account of Braddock's campaign, 

25; his account of Forbes' march, 33; sets out for Pittsburgh during the 

Whiskey Insurrection, 63. 
Wayne, Gen. Anthony, his victory over the Indians on the Maumee, 64, 78. 
Whiskey Insurrection the, 59; cost of, 63. 

[ 558 ] 



INDEX 

BEFORE THE CITY CHARTER. 
1749-1816. 

Academy, Old Pittsburgh, 102; first trustees, 102 (sketch, 287). 

Allegheny county, erected, 103; first court-house built, 105; first jail (1788), 
107; early members of bar, 108; first blast furnace, 113. 

Alleghenytown, beginning of, 104. 

Anshutz, George, early ironworker, 113. 

Arsenal, Allegheny, established, 150 (explosion, 217). 

Boat and ship building, first mentions, 74, 88; boat builders from Philadelphia 
arrive at Pittsburgh, 89; first ships built at Pittsburgh and vicinity, 
123; account of first steamboat to run on western waters, 140; steam- 
boats built in Pittsburgh and vicinity (1811-35), 144; stimulus given 
to industry, 145. 

Brackenridge, H. H., his descriptions of Pittsburgh (1786), 93. 

Brodhead, Col., rules Pittsburgh, 77. 

Churches (see Churches, p. 338). 

Coal, first, mined in Pittsburgh, 90; stimulus given to industry, 144. 

Craig, Isaac (and Stephen Bayard), purchase lots in Pittsburgh (1784), 80; 
as a glass manufacturer, 121. 

English traders, first at the headwaters of the Ohio, 65. 

Fire department, establishment of first, 124 (see also pp. 190, 236). 

Iron, earliest discoveries of, on western slope of Alleghenies, 112; Pittsburgh 
as a market for, 114; foundry — Joseph McClurg's, 129. 

Lee, Arthur, his account of Pittsburgh, 84. 

Manufactures, first account of, 87; enumerations of — 1792 to 1795, 111-112; 
early iron, 113-114; early lumber and glass, 120; value of (1803), 129; 
first cotton, 131; enumeration of (1807), 132; flint glass, 133; Common- 
wealth enumeration of (1809), 135; cannon, 145. 

Merchants, first, 74; early advertisements of, 100. 

McKeesport, founding of, 118. 

Newspapers, first, of Pittsburgh, 91; the Gazette, 91; the Tree of Liberty, 
128; the Commonwealth, 131 (see also p. 483). 

O'Hara, Gen. James, as trader, contractor and manufacturer, 120 (see also 
p. 519 for sketch). 

Penn, Thos. and Richard, purchase territory of Indians including site of 
Pittsburgh, 78; they survey same, 79. 

Penn, Jno., Jr., and John Penn, sell lands in Manor of Pittsburgh, 80. 

Pitts- Borough, Gen. Forbes first to use name, 65. 

Pittsburgh, early English traders in vicinity of, 65; Gen. Stanwix uses name 
in letters (1759), 66; population (1760), 66; first school, 66 (see also 
p. 269 ) ; first church ( see Churches, p. 338 ) ; demolished by garrison 
(1763), 73; survey of Col. Campbell, 74; Washington's description, 75; 
removal of garrison, 75 (see also p. 52) ; some citizens (1774), 76; Vir- 
ginia takes possession, 77; some citizens (1781), 78; immigration affect- 
ing, 78; territory including, purchased by Penns, 78; Woods and Vickroy's 
Burvey, 80; first lots sold, 80; early descriptions, 85-86; first industry, 88; 

[ 559 ] 



INDEX 

first coal mined, 90; chief elements in early growth, 90; first ferries, 90; 
first newspaper, 91; Brackenridge's Gazette articles concerning, 93; post 
office established, 99; first market house, 100; Academy founded, 102; 
library opened, 103; first courts held, 104 (see also p. 506) ; record of 
population (1788), 108; improvement of roads leading to and from, 
109; factors affecting growth (1785-), 110; enumeration of industries 
(1792), 111; early iron supply, 113; first blast furnace, 113; iron market 
for west and south, 114; incorporated as a borough, 114; early streets, 
115; first borough officers, 116; receipts and expenditures (1794), 117; 
early suburbs, 118; Craig's description, 118; mail and transportation 
routes to and from (1794), 119; first glass manufacturing, 121; first 
fire department, 124; early lotteries, 125; first footways, 126; first water 
supply, 127; population (1800), 128; second newspaper, 128; reincorpo- 
ration (1804), 130; first bank, 131 (see also p. 261); roads and stage 
lines to and from (1805-), 131; third newspaper, 131; flint glass manu- 
facturing begun, 133; population (1810), 140; first steamboat built, 
140; first cannon made, 145; directory (1812-13), 145; arsenal estab- 
lished, 150; churches (1815), 151; societies (1815), 152 (see also 
p. 526); Permanent Library Co. (1815), 152; banks (1815), 152; build- 
ings (1815), 152; population (1815), 153. 

Population, first record, 66; Craig's annotated list (1760), 67; Ecuyer's 
statement concerning (1763), 73; Dr. Hildreth's estimate (1788), 108; 
American Museum estimate (1792), 111; census (1800), 128; enumera- 
tion (1810), 140; enumeration (1815), 153. 

Post office and mails, first, 74, 98; in the year 1794, 119; in the year 1801, 
129. 

Schoepf, Dr. Johann, his impression of Pittsburgh, 86. 

Robinson, Geo., first burgess (with Josiah Tannehill), 116. 

Schools, first, 66; the old academy, 102 (see also Schools, pp. 269, 287). 

Scull, John, and Joseph Hall, establish first newspaper (Gazette) west of 
Alleghenies, 91 (see also p. 483). 

Tannehill, Josiah, first burgess (with Geo. Robinson), 116. 

Water supply, first, 127 (see also pp. 167, 236, 237). 

Woods, Geo., and Thos. Vickroy, survey Pittsburgh, 80. 

Vickroy, Thos., deposition of, regarding survey of Pittsburgh, 80. 

THE MUNICIPALITY. 
1816-1906 

Allegheny, incorporated a borough, 170; population (1830), 173; incorpo- 
rated a city, 182, arsenal explosion, 217; river bridges, 159, 182, 220, 241 
(observatory, p. 297). 

Allegheny County (erected), 103; second court house built, 176; jail built, 
176; population (1840), 183; tax convention, 199; addition to court 
house and jail, 221 ; court house burned, 237 ; present court house built, 
238; centennial, 238; blast furnaces, 248; banking resources, 268 (see 
also pp. 105-108). 

Anti-Slavery Society, 182. 

[ 560 ] 



INDEX 

Arsenal explosion, 217. 

Association, Pittsburgh manufacturing (1819), 162; firemen's of Pittsburgh 
and Allegheny, 190; brokers', 213; various business, 259-260; merchants 
and manufacturers', 260. 
Banks, 261; clearings for 1905, 267; summary of, for Greater Pittsburgh, 
267; comparison of, showing capital, surplus and profits, loans and dis- 
counts, investment securities, deposits and total resources over a period 
of last twenty-five years, 268. 
Barker, Joseph, as Mayor of Pittsburgh, 194. 
Bayardstown, laid out, 157; population (1830), 173; added to city, 175. 

Birmingham, the "South Side," 157; incorporated as a borough, 170; popula- 
tion (1850), 192; added to city, 241. 

Board of Health established, 202. 

Board of Trade, Pittsburgh (1835-36), 175; reorganization of, 202; in 1901, 
259; East End, Oakland, Eighteenth Ward, Mt. Washington, Duquesne 
Heights, 259. 

Brashear, John A., Co., Limited, 256. 

Bridge, Allegheny, 159; Monongahela, 159; Hand street, 182; Mechanic 
street, 182; Monongahela suspension, 185; Allegheny suspension (1860), 
220; Birmingham (1861), 220; Point, 237; present city, 241. 

Builders' Exchange League, 260. 

Canal, the Pennsylvania, authorized by State, 168; Pittsburgh and Allegheny 
commissioners appointed, 169; western section completed, 169; through 
line opened, 169; Pittsburgh basin, 169; the Pittsburgh and Beaver, 181; 
iron boats for, 181; Pennsylvania canal sold by State, 200; the Lake 
Erie and Ohio River Ship, 257. 

Carnegie Institute, building, 239 ( for description of institute, p. 553 ) . 

Carnegie Steel Co., 249. 

Chamber of Commerce, 258. 

City Hall (1852-53), 202; the present, 221. 

Civil War, the, excitement of 1860-61, 204; Secretary of War Floyd's order 
to remove munitions from Allegheny Arsenal, 205; Major Symington's 
refusal to stop shipment, 206; Committee of Public Safety organized, 
209; demonstration in Pittsburgh at close of, 217 (see also pp. 421-482). 

Clearing House, established, 220; clearings of, for 1905, 267. 

Coal, first towed by steam, 190; extent of fields in Pittsburgh district, 246; 
output in 1903, 246. 

Coke, first manufactured, 246; output in 1903, 246. 

Consolidations, various city, 198, 221, 241, 242. 

Exposition Society, 258. 

Farragut, Admiral, visits Pittsburgh, 219. 

Fenian demonstration at Pittsburgh, 219. 

Fire department ( first, see p. 124 ) , association of Pittsburgh and Allegheny, 
190; first paid, 236. 

Gas, works, ordinances for construction of first, 168; first natural, 224; the 
Philadelphia Co.. 247. 

Grant, Gen., visits Pittsburgh, 219. 

Heinz Co., H. J., 256. 

36 [ 561 ] 



INDEX 

Iron, rolling mills, early, 163-164; boats constructed of, 181; early manu- 
factures of, 248; used in outside structure of buildings, 202; enumeration 
of manufactories (1870), 222; pig, in Pittsburgh district (1903), 250; 
manufactures in Pittsburgh district (1903), 250 (see also pp. 112, 114, 
129). 
Jones and Laughlin Steel Co., 248. 
Kossuth, Louis, visits Pittsburgh, 202. 
Lafayette, Gen., visits Pittsburgh, 167. 
Lake Erie and Ohio River Ship Canal, 257. 

Lawrenceville, laid out, 158; population (1850), 192; added to city, 221. , 
Lincoln, President, visits Pittsburgh, 215. 

Manufactures, enumeration of (1817), 160; early rolling mills, 163; enumera- 
tion of (1826), 164; value of (1835), 173; salt (1833), 175; tariffs 
affecting, 164, 177, 178, 179; value of (1837), 180; iron steamboats, 181; 
tariff affecting, 183; census of (1840), 183; summary of (1850), 192; 
decrease of, 194; tariff affecting (1860-61), 204; heavy guns, etc., 212; 
tariffs affecting (1862-64), 212; value of (1863), 213; summary of 
(1865), 213; enumeration of (1870), 222; elements affecting, 244; coke, 
246; Bessemer steel, crucible steel, etc., 248; iron and steel in Pitts- 
burgh district (1903), 250; glass, 251; electrical, 251; value of electrical, 
254; steamboat, 254; locomotive, 254; men employed in Pittsburgh 
district, 257. 
Monongahela, Navigation Co., 181; Incline Plane Co., 220; river bridges, 159, 

185, 220, 237, 241. 
Monroe, President, visits Pittsburgh, 158. 
Northern Liberties, incorporated as a borough, 170; as the Fifth Ward of 

Pittsburgh, 175. 
Oakland added to city, 221. 

Observatory, Allegheny, established, 213 (see also Schools, p. 297). 
Oil Well Supply Co., 255. 
Parks, vote against creating, 221; present area of Pittsburgh and Allegheny, 

244 (see also pp. 537, 538). 
Petroleum, wells, 248; exchange, 213. 

Pittsburgh, incorporated as a city (1816), 154; government of, 155; first 
couneilmen, 156; first aldermen, 156; streets and alleys (1816), 157; 
suburbs, 157; visit of President Monroe, 158; first bridges, 159; first 
rolling mills, 163; industrial depression (1818-24), 164; visit of 
Lafayette, 167; ordinances (1824-30), 167; agitation for higher tariff, 
170; divided into four wards by Legislature, 170; excerpt from States- 
man on substantiality of growth (1829), 171; popiilation (1820), 173; 
population (1830), 173; value of manufactures and commerce (1835), 
173; transportation lines (1831-35), 173; suburban towns of, 174; 
mayor first elected by people, 174; municipal improvements, 174; visita- 
tion of cholera, 174; Board of Trade (1835-36), 175; visit of Daniel 
Webster, 175; first public schools, 175 (see also Schools, p. 269); names 
of city wards changed to numbers, 175; agitation for high tariff, 177, 
178, 179; disturbed financial condition, 179; panic of 1837, 180; im- 
provements in transportation, 181; population (1840), 182; known as 

[ 562 ] 



INDEX 

the Iron City, 182; industry and wealth of district, census of 1840, 183; 
newspapers of 1842, 184; great fire of 1845, 185; waterworks (second 
system), 190; new wards added, 190; telegraphic communication estab- 
lished, 191; Merchants' Exchange established, 192; city script redeemed. 
192; visit of Henry Clay, 192; visit of President Taylor and Governor 
Johnston, 192; population (1850), 192; Manufactures (1850), 192; busi- 
ness depression (1850-), 194; lawlessness in 1851, 195; the city's bad 
credit, 195; railroad bonds purchased, 195; bonded debt (1855), 196; 
effort to consolidate with Allegheny and adjacent boroughs, 198; strin- 
gency of 1854, 199; discriminated against in freight rates, 201; visit of 
Louis Kossuth, 202; city hall and market house built (1852-53), 202; 
Board of Health established, 202; custom house built, 202; second scourge 
of cholera, 202 ; Board of Trade reorganized, 202 ; first street railways, 
202; Act requiring mayor, treasurer, and controller to be elected bi- 
ennially, 202; National Convention (1856), 203; population (1800), 204; 
war excitement (1860-61), 204; settlement of railroad debt, 210; con- 
fusion in money matters (1861), 210; visit of Prince of Wales, 214; visit 
of President Lincoln, 215; arsenal explosion, 217; war and peace cele- 
brations (1865), 217; demonstration over President Lincoln's assassina- 
tion, 218; visits of Gen. Grant, 219; visit of President Johnson, Admiral 
Farragut, Secretaries Seward and Welles, 219; Fenian demonstration, 
219; Pennsylvania railroad depot completed (1866), 220; Monongahela 
Incline Plane Co., 220; consolidation of 1867, 221; Forbes street laid 
out, 221; population (1870), 221; manufactories of 1870, 222; business 
depression (1871-75), 223; first natural gas wells, 224; railroad riots of 
1877, 225; first paid fire department, 236; water system (present), 236; 
prominent buildings, 239; consolidation oi 1872, 241; population (1880), 
238; population (1890), 238; consolidation of 1906, 242; the district of, 
244; elements afiecting growth, 244-248; bonded debt (1906), 244; giant 
manufactories, 248; tonnage, 257; railroads entering, 257; railroad pas- 
senger traffic, 257 ; projected traffic improvements, 257 ; business associa- 
tions, 258; banking institutions and resources, 261. 

Population, 1820, 173; 1830, 173; 1840, 182; 1850, 192; 1860, 204; 1870, 221; 
1880, 238; 1890, 238; 1900, 243; 1905, 243. 

Porter Co., H. K., the, 254. 

Prince of Wales visits Pittsburgh, 214. 

Prison, State, the old Allegheny, 108. 

Railroads, the Portage (1831-34), 169; Baltimore and Frederick, 174; bonds 
of, purchased, 195; early projections of, 196; Pittsburgh and Ohio com- 
pleted, 197; Baltimore and Ohio completed, 197; Pennsylvania Central 
completed, 197; freight rate discrimination, 201; settlement of city and 
county debts for, 210; Pennsylvania depot, completed (1866), 220; riots 
of 1877, 225; present, entering Pitsburgh, 257; street, 202, 240. 

Rees and Sons, James, 254. 

Riter-Conley Mfg. Co., 254. 

Schools, first public, 175 (see also pp. 269-323). 

Seward, Secretary of State, visits Pittsburgh, 219. 

Standard Sanitary Mfg. Co., 256. 

Street railways, first, 202; present, 240. 

[ 561^ ] 



INDEX 

Tariff legislation affecting Pittsburgh industries, 164, 170, 177, 178, 179, 183, 

204, 212. 
Tonnage, tax, repeal of, 201. 
Tonnage of Pittsburgh, 257. 
Waterworks, ordinances for construction of, 167; system of 1870-79, 236; 

present system, 237. 
Webster, Daniel, visits Pittsburgh, 175. 
Welles, Secretary of Navy, visits Pittsburgh, 219. 
Westinghouse industries, 251. 

THE SCHOOLS. 

Academy, the old, first trace, 269 ; sketch, 287 ; graduates, 292 ; Aquilla M. 
Bolton's, 274. 

College, Pittsburgh Female, 285 ; Pennsylvania Female, 285 ; Duff's Mer- 
cantile, 285; Iron City Commercial, 286 (Holy Ghost, see Churches, 
p. 352). 

Institute, Western Female Collegiate, 278; Bishop Bowman, 285 (Deaf and 
Dumb, see Benevolent Institutions, p. 409 ) . 

League, Art Student's, 286. 

Observatory, the Allegheny, 297. 

Seminary, Allegheny Theological, 282; Reformed Presbyterian Theological, 
283; Western Theological, 279; Mrs. Gazzam's, 275; Harmonie, 277. 

School, Boarding and Day: Mrs. Pride's, 270; John C. Brevost's, 274; Edge- 
worth, 278. Day and Evening: Thos. Towsey's, 270. Day, Latin, 
Greek, etc.: Robt. Steele's, 272. Day: Mr. and Mrs. E. Carr's, 272; 
Samuel Kingston's, 273; Miss Killikelly's, 286. Evening: Mr. Mc- 
Donald's, 271; John Taylor's, 271; Messrs. Chute and Noyes'. 274. 
French: N. C. Visinier's, 271; John C. Brevost's, 274. Girl's: Thos. 
Hunt's, 274; Anna and Arabella Watt's, 275. Lancasterian, John Board- 
man's, 275 ; Curry University, 286 ; Allegheny Preparatory, 287 ; Park In- 
stitute, 287; Shadyside Academy, 287; Alinda, 287; Thurston Prepara- 
tory, 287 ; East Liberty Academy, 287 ; Pittsburgh Academy, 287 ; 
Pittsburgh School of Design, 286; Select Schools: Mr. and Mrs. J. 
Graham's, 273; Rev. Joseph Stockton's, 277; Adelphi Free, 305. 

Schools, Carnegie Technical, 303. 

Schools, common, first provision for, in Pennsylvania, 304; Act of 1809 pro- 
viding for, 305; Pennsylvania Society for Promotion of, 306, 307; 
Governor Wolf's addresses concerning (1829-30), 306, 307; Samuel Fet- 
terman's report to Legislature on need of, 310; Act of 1831 providing 
for, 317; Governor Wolf's message concerning (1831), 317; Act of 1834 
providing for, 321; first Pittsburgh (1834-35), 322; Act of Consolidation 
for (1854-55), 325; Central Board of Education and County Superin- 
tendent for, 326; Pitsbvirgh High, 327; comparative view of Pittsburgh 
system, 328; statement of (1900). 329; statistical report of (1900), 330; 
analysis of Pittsburgh system, 333; buildings and courses, 334; kinder- 
gartens, 336; vacation schools, 336. 

University, Western Pennsylvania, sketch of,. 293; early faculty, 294; Alle- 
gheny Observatory transferred to, 296; Schools of Mines and Mining 
Engineering of, 296; Western Pennsylvania Medical College united with, 

[564] 



INDEX 

297; Pittsburgh Law Seliool becomes a department of, 297; Pittsburgh 
College of Pharmacy transferred to, 297; Pittsburgh Dental College 
transferred to, 297. 



THE CHURCHES. 

Baptist, first, 377; first pastor and organization, 377; Fourth Avenue, 378; 
Shady Avenue, 378. 

Churches, comparison of Roman Catholic, 1853-1903, 351; number of Presby- 
terian, in Pittsburgh and Allegheny, 382; cost of maintenance of, in 
Pittsburgh and Allegheny, 382; Christian, 381; Congregationalist. 381. 

Episcopalian, Protestant, deed of lots to, by Jno. Penn, Jr., and John Penn, 
355; first trustees, 356; first pastor, 356; Trinity incorporated, 356; 
Old Round Church built, 356; pastors, 357; second Trinity built, 357; 
other churches of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, St. Andrews', St. Paul's, 
Calvary, Christ's (Allegheny), 358. 

Evangelical, First German United, first meetings, 376; first church, 376; 
deed of lands to, by Jno. Penn, Jr., and John Penn, 376; second, third, 
and fourth churches, 377; pastors, 377. 

Methodist, 378; first meetings, 378; Christ's, 380; first church built, 380; 
division of, 380. 

Presbyterian, East Liberty, organization of and first church built. 370; 
pastors, 371; offshoots of. Point Breeze, Highland Tabernacle, Valley 
View, and Sixth United Presbyterian, 371; Shadyside, 371. 

Presbyterian, First, first pastor, 360; Jno. Penn, Jr., and Jno. Penn deed 
lots to, 360; first church built, 362; second, 363; pastors, 365; present 
church built, 366. 

Presbyterian, First United, organized, 372 ; first pastor, 373 ; first church 
built, 373; second, 374; third, 375; fourth, 375; pastors, 374, 375. 

Presbyterian, Second, organized and first church built, 366; second, 366; 
third, 367; pastors, 366, 377. 

Presbyterian, Third, organized, 367; first church built, 368; second, 368; 
reunion of old and new schools of Presbyterianism in, 368; present 
church built, 369; pastors, 370. 

Roman Catholic, 338; first services in Pittsburgh, 338; chapel in Fort 
Duqiiesne, 339; early missionaries, 339; "Old St. Patrick's," .340; first 
St. Paul's, 341, 342; St. Paul's School. 344; St. Paul's as Cathedral of 
Diocese, 344; St. Paul's burned, ,345; second St. Paul's (1851), 345; 
Diocese of Pittsburgh divided, 346; history of Diocese of Pittsburgh 
(1853-1903), 346; diocesan schools, 349; Cathedral Lyceum, 349; 
dioceses reunited, 349 ; offshoots of Cathedral, 349 ; comparison of 
church (1853-1903), 351; churches and schools in Pittsburgh and Alle- 
gheny, 351; Cathedral sold (1901), 353; new St. Paul's Cathedral, 353. 

Unitarian, 381. 

Universalist, 381. 

Jewish, 381. 

[ 565 ] 



INDEX 

HOSPITALS AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS. 

Allegheny General Hospital, incorporated, 400; additions, 400; present build- 
ing erected, 401; staff, 401. 

Bethesda Home, 405. 

Children's Aid Society of Western Pennsylvania, 406. 

Children's Hospital, 404. 

Curtis Home for Destitute Women and Girls, 405. 

Dixmont Hospital for the Insane, 387, 389, 393. 

Home for Epileptics (at Rochester), 403. 

Eye and Ear Hospital, 404. 

Home for Aged and Infirm Colored Women, 406. 

Home for Colored Children, 406. 

Homoeopathic Hospital, incorporated, 394; first trustees and officers, 395; 
staff, 18G6-67, 395; Ladies' Association of, 396-397; second building, 396; 
training school for nurses, 398; eye and ear dispensary, 398; quarantine 
against, 399; site for new building chosen, 399; medical board, 400. 

Kingsley House, 407. 

Mercy Hospital, organized, 383; first building, 383; incorporated, 385; new 
building of. 385; trustees, 386; stati", 386. 

Miscellaneous institutions, 412-413. 

Municipal Hospital, erected, 385. 

Newsboy's Home, 407. 

Passavant Hospital, 403. 

Pittsburgh and Allegheny Home for the Friendless, 407. 

Pittsburgh Association for Improvement of the Poor, 406. 

Protestant Home for Incurables, 408. 

Protestant Orphan Asylum, 408. 

Reineman Maternity Hospital, 404. 

Rosalie Home, Foundling Asylum and Maternity Hospital, 405. 

St. Francis Hospital, established, 393; incorporated, 393; first and second 
buildings, 393; staff, 393. 

St. John's General, 402. 

South Side Hospital, beginning of, 401; present building erected, 402. 

Twelfth Ward Hospital, 389. 

Western Pennsylvania Hospital, incorporated, 386; opened, 387; insane de- 
partment established, 387; during the Civil War, 388; Twelfth Ward 
Hospital endowed by, 389; officers, 389; staff, 389; president's statement 
to Board of Managers (1905), 390; separated from Dixmont, 393. 

Western Pennsylvania Humane Society, 406. 

Western Pennsylvania Institution for the Blind, 409. 

Western Pennsylvania Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb, 
408. 

Young Men's Christian Association, 409. 

Young Women's Christian Association, 411. 



[ 566] 



INDEX 



RECORDS OF FOUR WARS. 

Civil War, first overt act, 421; first call for volunteers, 423; Twelfth Regi- 
ment, 424; Thirteenth, 425; Fifth, 426; Seventh, 426; Negley Zouaves, 
426; Alliquippa Guards, 426; subscriptions for equipment, 426; de- 
parture of Allegheny county troops, 427; at Camp Scott, 429; Committee 
of Public Safety, 434; subcommittees, 434; Home Guards, 437; Reserve 
Corps, 441; in Camp Wright. 444; Eighth Regiment, 444; Ninth, 445; 
Tenth, 445; Eleventh, 446; Erie Regiment, 446; unaccepted companies, 
448; clothing frauds, 452; second call for 500,000 volunteers, 455; three 
years' service men, 457; Eleventh Regiment, 457; Twenty-eighth, 457; 
Thirty-seventh. 458; Thirty-eighth, 458; Forty- fourth, 458; Forty-sixth, 
458; Forty-ninth, 458; Fifth — West Virginia Cavalry Volunteers, 458; 
First — West Virginia Artillery, 459 ; Fifty-seventh, 459 ; Sixtieth, 459 ; 
Sixty-first, 459; Sixty-second, 459; Sixty-third, 460; Sixty-fourth, 460; 
Sixty-fifth, 461; Sixty-seventh, 461; Seventy-fourth, 461; Seventy-sixth, 
461; Seventy-seventh, 461; Seventy-eighth, 461; Eightieth — Seventh 
Cavalry, 461; Eighty-second. 462; Eighty-third, 462; Eighty-seventh, 
462; One Hundred and First, 462; One Hundred and Second, 462; One 
Hundred and Third, 463; One Hundred and Fifth, 463; One Hundred and 
Seventeenth — Thirteenth Cavalry, 463; One Hundred and Twenty-third, 
464; One Hundred and Thirty-sixth, 464; One Hundred and Thirty- 
ninth, 465; One Hundred and Fifty-fifth, 465; One Hundred and Ninety- 
third, 466; Two Hundred and Fourth, 466; Pittsburgh threatened. 467; 
earthworks at Pittsburgh, 469; third requisition and history of the draft, 
470-478; Subsistence Committee. 478. 

Mexican War, 419; names of the Duquesne Grays, 420; the Jackson Blues, 420. 

Spanish- American War, 480; Fourteenth Regiment, 480; Tenth, 480; Battery 
B, 481. 

War of 1812, 414; names of the Pittsburgh Blues, 419; cannon and rigging 
furnished for, 419. 

NEWSPAPERS. 

Gazette, the, 483; becomes a daily. 486; Tree of Liberty, 485, 496; Times, 
488; Post, 488; Sunday Post, 490; ^un, 490; Dispatch, 491; Sunday 
Dispatch, 492 ; Sunday Leader, 493 ; Chronicle, and Chronicle Telegraph, 
494; Press, 495; Bulletin, 495; Index, 496; Pittsburgh Catholic, 496; 
Pittsburgh Observer, 496; miscellaneous publications (1801-1850), 496; 
Trades Papers, 502. 

JUDICIARY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY. 

Provincial Courts. 503, 504, 505; Allegheny County Courts established, 506; 
first judges, 507; reorganization of courts, 507; Mayor's Court, 508; 
Judges of Common Pleas, Quarter Sessions, and Orphans' Court, prior 
to the constitution of 1790, 509; Associate Judges under the constitution 
of 1790, 509; President Judges of Common Pleas, etc., 510; Associate 

[567] 



INDEX 

Judges of Common Pleas, 511; President Judges of the District Court, 
512; Associate Judges of same, 513; District Court abolished (1873), 
513; Common Pleas, No. 2, 513; Common Pleas, No. 3, 514; Orphans' 
Court, 515; Juvenile Court, 516. 



SOME PIONEER MEN \ND OTHER MATTERS. 

Bayard, Col. Stephen, 518. 

Brackenridge, H. H., 523; his description of Pittsburgh, 523-525. 

Brackenridge, H. M., 523. 

Cemetery, the Allegheny, 536; mention of others, 537. 

Clubs, 538-539. 

Craig, Major Isaac, 518 (see also pp. 59, 80, 121). 

Dancing masters, early, 532. 

Denny, Ebenezer, 521. 

Foster, Stephen C, 536. 

Horse racing, 525. 

Institute, Carnegie, 551 ; departments of, 554. 

Institute, Pittsburgh, of Arts and Sciences, 535. 

Libraries and bookstores, early, 541. 

Library, Pittsburgh Permanent; Mercantile, 547; Anderson, 549; Carnegie 
(Allegheny), 549; Carnegie (Pittsburgh), 551. 

Morgan, Col. George, 519. 

Music, early, teachers of, 533; the Mozart Club, 535, 

Neville, John, 520. 

Nevin, Ethelbert and Arthur, 536. 

O'Hara, James, 519 (see also p. 121). 

Orchestra, the Pittsburgh, 539. 

Ormsby, John, 521. 

Park, Schenley, 537; Riverview, 538; Highland, 538. 

Ross, James, 522. 

Schenley, Mrs. Mary E., 538. 

Societies, early, 526; the Pittsburgh Mechanical, 526; Chemical and Physio- 
logical, 527; Franklin, 527; first Historical, 533; Western Pennsylvania 
Historical, 533; Art Society, 535. 

Street names, historical, changed, 533. 

The3,tres, first, 528; the Old Drury, 531; Pittsburgh Opera House, 532; 
Academy, 532; Bijou, 532; Duquesne, 532; Alvin, 532; Empire, 532; 
Nixon, 532; Gayety, 532. 

Visit of Dukes of Orleans, Montpensier, and Beaujolais, 523. 

Wilkins, John, 520. 



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